used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
Abdullah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
Adite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
(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 In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
André
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
any thing at all
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
burlesques
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
civilization's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
classicaladjectiveUS /ˈklæsɪkəl/
of or relating to the first significant period of a civilization, culture, area of study, etc.
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
comparableadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpərəbəl/
able to be compared or worthy of comparison
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
conventionsnounUS /kənˈvenʃənz/
plural of “convention” — a large formal assembly
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
criticismsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz/
plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
diabolicaladjectiveUS /ˌdaɪəˈbɑːlɪkəl/
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
Garnett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
GidenounUS /ʒiːd/
French author and dramatist who is regarded as the father of modern French literature (1869-1951)
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
inventionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃənz/
plural of “invention” — the creation of something in the mind
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
ironicadjectiveUS /aɪˈrɑːnɪk/
humorously sarcastic or mocking
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
irreverentadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈrevərənt/
showing lack of due respect or veneration
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
macabreadjectiveUS /məˈkɑːbrə/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
social deportment
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
MarcelnounUS /mɑːrˈsel/
a hairdo characterized by deep regular waves that are made by a heated curling iron
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
mockerynounUS /ˈmɑːkəri/
showing your contempt by derision
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
moralitynounUS /mərˈæləti/
concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
not any; not one
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
physiologicaladjectiveUS /ˌfɪziəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
of or relating to the biological study of physiology
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
literature in metrical form
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
prosenounUS /proʊz/
ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
remotelyadverbUS /riˈmoʊtli/
in a remote manner
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
reticences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
rhythmnounUS /ˈrɪðəm/
the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
ridiculousnessnoun
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
Schwob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But no modern man in England has done anything remotely comparable with them, and neither Schwob nor André Gide has heaped mockery so high as in _Abdullah the Adite_, and remained as sure a master of all the reticences of art and manners.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
a special situation
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To return to the question of rhythm, the rhythm of prose, for one thing, is physiological, the rhythm of poetry is musical.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
topsy-turvyadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːpsiˈtɜːrvi/
in utter disorder
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
TwilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
undefinableadjective
not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
witchcraftnounUS /ˈwɪtʃkræft/
the art of sorcery
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In France Marcel Schwob and André Gide have done certain things comparable in their way with these learned inventions, these ironic "criticisms of life," these irreverent classical burlesques in which religion, morality, learning, and all civilization's conventions, are turned topsy-turvy, and presented in the ridiculousness of their unaccustomed attitude.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading This learned mockery has an undefinable quality, macabre, diabolical, a witchcraft of its own, which I can find in no other writer.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Garnett himself told me, as I always thought, that _The Twilight of the Gods_ was far and away the best book he had written.
