used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
affordingverbUS /əˈfɔːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
in addition
From this reading This is the source also of the melancholy which is inseparable from the sweetest melody.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
extreme mental distress
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
approximationnounUS /əˌprɑːksəˈmeɪʃən/
an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
being joined in close association
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
constitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/
law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
defectnounUS /ˈdiːfekt/
an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
defineverbUS /dɪˈfaɪn/
determine the essential quality of
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
definitionnounUS /ˌdefəˈnɪʃən/
a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
delightsnounUS /dɪˈlaɪts/
plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
dependsverbUS /dɪˈpendz/
third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
existsverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪsts/
third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
expressionsnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃənz/
plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
many times at short intervals
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
harmonynounUS /ˈhɑːrməni/
compatibility in opinion and action
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
inexplicableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
inferioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
inseparableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsepərəbəl/
not capable of being separated
From this reading This is the source also of the melancholy which is inseparable from the sweetest melody.
involvingverbUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvɪŋ/
-ing form of “involve” — connect closely and often incriminatingly
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading This is the source also of the melancholy which is inseparable from the sweetest melody.
melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading This is the source also of the melancholy which is inseparable from the sweetest melody.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
paradoxesnounUS /ˈperədɑːksɪz/
plural of “paradox” — (logic) a statement that contradicts itself
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
portionsnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃənz/
plural of “portion” — something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading This is the source also of the melancholy which is inseparable from the sweetest melody.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
sweetestadjectiveUS /ˈswiːtəst/
superlative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading This is the source also of the melancholy which is inseparable from the sweetest melody.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Sorrow, terror, anguish, despair itself, are often the chosen expressions of an approximation to the highest good.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is difficult to define pleasure in its highest sense; the definition involving a number of apparent paradoxes.
tragedynounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Our sympathy in tragic fiction depends on this principle; tragedy delights by affording a shadow of the pleasure which exists in pain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For, from an inexplicable defect of harmony in the constitution of human nature, the pain of the inferior is frequently connected with the pleasures of the superior portions of our being.
