used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
in actual fact
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
ALLEGEDadjectiveUS /əˈledʒd/
declared but not proved
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
approvalnounUS /əˈpruːvəl/
the formal act of approving
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
boredadjectiveUS /bɔːrd/
tired of the world
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
complainverbUS /kəmˈpleɪn/
express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
decadentadjectiveUS /ˈdekədənt/
luxuriously self-indulgent
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
DICKENSnounUS /ˈdɪkənz/
a word used in exclamations of confusion
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
psychological suffering
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
epochnounUS /ˈepək/
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
communicated in words
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
intellectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəl/
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
most important element
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
OPTIMISMnounUS /ˈɑːptəmɪzəm/
the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
optimistnounUS /ˈɑːptəmɪst/
a person disposed to take a favorable view of things
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
an amount of time
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
physicallyadverbUS /ˈfɪzɪkəli/
in accord with physical laws
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
on the contrary
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
referringverbUS /rɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
samenessnounUS /ˈseɪmnəs/
the quality of being alike
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
strangenessnounUS /ˈstreɪndʒnəs/
unusualness as a consequence of not being well known
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
vulgaradjectiveUS /ˈvʌlɡər/
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
