Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

later than; following

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

(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 men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

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

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

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

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

plural of “associate” — a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

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

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

harshly critical or expressing censure

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

intentionally conceived

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

deem to be

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

the act of constructing something

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

communication by the exchange of letters

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

marked for certain death

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

put on clothes

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

the organ of sight

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

set up or found

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

ten 10s

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

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

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

the quality of being individual

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

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

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

the literary culture

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

United States poet (1917-1977)

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

the force of workers available

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

possessive form of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

being one less than one hundred and nine more than ninety

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

not any; not one

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

a ceremonial procession including people marching

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

go across or through

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

introduce

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

aware of yourself as an individual or of your own being and actions and thoughts

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

Scottish author (1850-1894)

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

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

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading All men, and especially literary men, seem to consider themselves on dress parade in their correspondence, and pose accordingly.

in or at that place or location

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

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

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

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

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

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

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

precisely as stated

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

a Caucasian

From this reading Even the least conscious seem to imagine that what they put down in black and white is to pass under some censorious eye.

in the company of; together with

From this reading SOME LETTERS "There's no art," said the doomed Duncan, "to find the mind's construction in the face," nor after a somewhat extensive acquaintance with men and their letters am I inclined to think there is very much to be found of the true individuality of men in their letters.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading The professional writer, whether his reputation be international, like that of a Lowell or a Stevenson, or confined to the circle of his village associates, never appears to pen a line without some affectation.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Ninety-nine persons out of a hundred are more self-conscious in writing than they are in talking.