used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
acquireverbUS /əˈkwaɪər/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
availverbUS /əˈveɪl/
use to one's advantage
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
ColeridgenounUS /ˈkoʊlrɪdʒ/
English romantic poet (1772-1834)
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
competencenounUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪns/
the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
earnverbUS /ɜːrn/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
giant'snounUS /ˈdʒaɪənts/
possessive form of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
grappleverbUS /ˈɡræpəl/
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
the state of being honored
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
IDEALadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
ill-health
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
largelyadverbUS /ˈlɑːrdʒli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
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 Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
the force of workers available
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
used to form the superlative
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
on the contrary
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/
(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
ruddernounUS /ˈrʌdər/
a hinged vertical airfoil mounted at the tail of an aircraft and used to make horizontal course changes
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
transport commercially
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
titheverbUS /taɪð/
exact a tithe from
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
twenty-thirdadjective
coming next after the twenty-second in position
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
UniversitynounUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti/
the body of faculty and students at a university
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
the act of using
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
well-orderedadjective
ordered well
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
at the time that
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
which person or people
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
a late time of life
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
