Chapter VI · Chapter 6

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

(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 All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading In America prostitution is tolerated in practice, but forbidden in print.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In America prostitution is tolerated in practice, but forbidden in print.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

correspondence in form or appearance

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

pecuniary reimbursement to the winning party for the expenses of litigation

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course, Mrs. Wharton's novel does nothing of the sort.

characterized by great determination

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Of course, Mrs. Wharton's novel does nothing of the sort.

very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.

From this reading In America prostitution is tolerated in practice, but forbidden in print.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

(philosophy) the philosophical theory that ideas are the only reality

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In America prostitution is tolerated in practice, but forbidden in print.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In America prostitution is tolerated in practice, but forbidden in print.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

the body of people who lead a group

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Of course, Mrs. Wharton's novel does nothing of the sort.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Of course, Mrs. Wharton's novel does nothing of the sort.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

an elaborate representation of scenes from history etc; usually involves a parade with rich costumes

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading In America prostitution is tolerated in practice, but forbidden in print.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading In America prostitution is tolerated in practice, but forbidden in print.

any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

offering sexual intercourse for pay

From this reading In America prostitution is tolerated in practice, but forbidden in print.

plural of “rigor” — something hard to endure

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Of course, Mrs. Wharton's novel does nothing of the sort.

sweep across or over

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

in or at that place or location

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

past form of “tolerate” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading In America prostitution is tolerated in practice, but forbidden in print.

considered contrary to the best interests of the United States

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

except if; if not

From this reading All homes are happy unless there is proof to the contrary, and then they are un-American.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

possessive form of “wharton” — United States novelist (1862-1937)

From this reading Of course, Mrs. Wharton's novel does nothing of the sort.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

which person or people

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.

done by design

From this reading In its wilful idealism America is determined that at all costs we shall appear to be innocent.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And a novel which should begin with the leaders in social conformity, who keep hard and clean the code, and should sweep through the great middle classes that may escape its rigors themselves, but exact them of others, might present the pageant, the social history, the epic of America.