1799
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
acquiringnounUS /əˈkwaɪrɪŋ/
the act of acquiring something
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
admirernounUS /ædˈmaɪrər/
a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
how long something has existed
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
apprenticeshipnounUS /əˈprentəsʃɪp/
the position of apprentice
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
buildernounUS /ˈbɪldər/
a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
ConstablenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəbəl/
a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
constructverbUS /kənˈstrʌkt/
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
without stop or interruption
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
copyingnounUS /ˈkɑːpiɪŋ/
an act of copying
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
without deviation
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
disregardedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsrɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/
not noticed inadvertently
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
executionnounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃən/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
communicated in words
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
foundationsnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃənz/
plural of “foundation” — the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
JacobnounUS /ˈdʒeɪkəb/
French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
the literary culture
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
engage in
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
mastersnounUS /ˈmæstərz/
United States poet (1869-1950)
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
methodicaladjectiveUS /məˈθɑːdəkəl/
characterized by method and orderliness
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
not any; not one
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
predecessorsnounUS /ˈpredəsesərz/
plural of “predecessor” — one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
refersverbUS /rəˈfɜːrz/
third-person singular of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
Ruysdael
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
sojournnounUS /ˈsoʊdʒərn/
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
spadenounUS /speɪd/
a playing card in the major suit that has one or more black figures on it
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HIS PICTURES In one of his letters, dated 1799, Constable refers to "a sweet little picture by Jacob Ruysdael I am copying."
a source of difficulty
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
twenty-threenounUS /ˈtwentiθriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-two and one
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
voluntaryadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːlənteri/
of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
at the time that
From this reading It was his custom to study and copy the old masters during his sojourn in London, but to paint in his own original way, directly from Nature and in the open air, when in the country.
which person or people
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A methodical man was John Constable, a builder who spared no trouble to make his foundations sound; but during those years of spade work in his voluntary apprenticeship, he never disregarded his determination to become a natural painter.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading In the style of the old masters he continued working until he was nearly forty, learning from them how to construct a picture, and "acquiring execution" as he expressed it.
a late time of life
From this reading He was then twenty-three years of age, a devoted admirer and student of his predecessors in landscape, and able, strange as it may seem to us, to call a Ruysdael sweet.
