adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading How many a slip between the lip and the lifted wine-cup!
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Alas, we are but creatures in its hands!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
angernounUS /ˈæŋɡər/
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Alas, we are but creatures in its hands!
attainverbUS /əˈteɪn/
to gain with effort
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading How many a slip between the lip and the lifted wine-cup!
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Alas, we are but creatures in its hands!
calculationsnounUS /ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “calculation” — the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
choicenounUS /tʃɔɪs/
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
consequencenounUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəns/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
couchesnounUS /ˈkaʊtʃɪz/
plural of “couch” — an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
creaturesnounUS /ˈkriːtʃərz/
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Alas, we are but creatures in its hands!
dashedadjectiveUS /dæʃt/
having gaps or spaces
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
fainadjectiveUS /feɪn/
having made preparations
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
fatenounUS /feɪt/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
faultnounUS /fɔːlt/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
FLIGHTnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading THE FLIGHT.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/
yet to be or coming
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
grapesnounUS /ɡreɪps/
plural of “grape” — any of various juicy fruit of the genus Vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Alas, we are but creatures in its hands!
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alas, we are but creatures in its hands!
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Alas, we are but creatures in its hands!
liftedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪftəd/
held up in the air
From this reading How many a slip between the lip and the lifted wine-cup!
lipnounUS /lɪp/
either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading How many a slip between the lip and the lifted wine-cup!
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading How many a slip between the lip and the lifted wine-cup!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
proudadjectiveUS /praʊd/
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
slipverbUS /slɪp/
move stealthily
From this reading How many a slip between the lip and the lifted wine-cup!
sourverbUS /ˈsaʊər/
go sour or spoil
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FLIGHT.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Alas, we are but creatures in its hands!
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading How often does man, proud man, make calculations for the future, and think he can bend stern fate to his will!
wine-cup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How many a slip between the lip and the lifted wine-cup!
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
yieldverbUS /jiːld/
be the cause or source of
From this reading How often, though seemingly with a choice of couches to repose upon, do we find ourselves dashed to earth; and then we are fain to say the grapes are sour, because we cannot attain them; or worse, to yield to anger in consequence of our own fault.
