8
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
how long something has existed
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
(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 To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And it is a real success.
BalzacnounUS /bɑːlˈzæk/
French novelist; he portrays the complexity of 19th century French society (1799-1850)
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
Barsetshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
besetverbUS /bɪˈset/
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
cathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
competitornounUS /kəmˈpetətər/
the contestant you hope to defeat
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
cyclenounUS /ˈsaɪkəl/
an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
DickensnounUS /ˈdɪkənz/
a word used in exclamations of confusion
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
dilemmasnounUS /dəˈleməz/
plural of “dilemma” — state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
being one more than seven
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
one or the other of two
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
elaborationnounUS /ɪˌlæbərˈeɪʃən/
addition of extra material or illustration or clarifying detail
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
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 But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
exhibitingverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
an act that fails
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
intricateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəkət/
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
LyttonnounUS /ˈlɪtən/
English writer of historical romances (1803-1873)
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
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 But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
masterynounUS /ˈmæstəri/
great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
maturitynounUS /məˈtʃʊrəti/
the period of time in your life after your physical growth has stopped and you are fully developed
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
not any; not one
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
novelistnounUS /ˈnɑːvələst/
one who writes novels
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
perilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
pitfallsnounUS /ˈpɪtfɔːlz/
plural of “pitfall” — an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading And it is a real success.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
unusual or striking
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
Identical; not different.
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
ThackeraynounUS /ˈθækəri/
English writer (born in India) (1811-1863)
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
tiresomeadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərsəm/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
volumesnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːmz/
plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Barsetshire cycle of tales has one remarkable feature; for it is designed[8] on a scheme which is either a delightful success or a tiresome failure.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
in the company of; together with
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But, I think, no English novelist has worked it out on so large a field, with such minute elaboration, and with such entire mastery of the many dilemmas and pitfalls which beset the competitor in this long and intricate course.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading To fill eight volumes in six distinct tales with the intricate relations of one set of families, all within access to one cathedral city, covering a whole generation in time, and exhibiting the same characters from youth to maturity and age--this is indeed a perilous task....
ZolanounUS /ˈzoʊlə/
French novelist and critic; defender of Dreyfus (1840-1902)
From this reading Balzac and Zola abroad have done this, and with us Scott, Thackeray, Lytton, and Dickens have in some degree tried this plan.
