used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
Alcestes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
approbationnounUS /ˌæprəˈbeɪʃən/
official approval
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
blemishnounUS /ˈblemɪʃ/
a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
breathesverbUS /briːðz/
third-person singular of “breathe” — draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
comparedverbUS /kəmˈperd/
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
deservesverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrvz/
third-person singular of “deserve” — be worthy or deserving
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
Eloisa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
Euripidesnoun
one of the greatest tragic dramatists of ancient Greece (480-406 BC)
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
divisible by two
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
at any time
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
expiringverbUS /ɪkˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “expire” — lose validity
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
give expression to
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
faultsnounUS /fɔːlts/
plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Eloisa Volume I Letter I. To Eloisa.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Eloisa Volume I Letter I. To Eloisa.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
needlessadjectiveUS /ˈniːdləs/
unnecessary and unwarranted
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
and nothing more
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
express in words
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
sublimeadjectiveUS /səˈblaɪm/
inspiring awe
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
in or at that place or location
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The picture of Eloisa dying can be compared only to the scene of Alcestes expiring, in Euripides.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
vicenounUS /vaɪs/
moral weakness
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
virtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/
plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading Eloisa Volume I Letter I. To Eloisa.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading And in like manner we ask, whether there was ever a work without blemish which might boast of such penetrating and sublime beauties?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
which person or people
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
the words that are spoken
From this reading We cannot better express our approbation of a performance in which even vice itself breathes an air of virtue, than in the words of Eloisa, who in speaking of Lord B---- says, was there ever a man without faults who possessed great virtues?
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Upon the whole, it were needless to say how much this work deserves to be read, since the eagerness of the Public hath already sufficiently prevented us.
