used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
accidentaladjectiveUS /ˌæksəˈdentəl/
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
(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 But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
in addition
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
attainverbUS /əˈteɪn/
to gain with effort
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
CeltnounUS /selt/
a member of a European people who once occupied Britain and Spain and Gaul prior to Roman times
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
cherishedadjectiveUS /ˈtʃerɪʃt/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
a person who is in charge
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
communionnounUS /kəˈmjuːnjən/
the act of participating in the celebration of the Eucharist
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
intentionally conceived
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
consequentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwənt/
occurring with or following as a consequence
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
derivedadjectiveUS /dərˈaɪvd/
formed or developed from something else; not original
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
disabilitiesnounUS /dɪsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “disability” — the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
embodimentnounUS /emˈbɑːdimənt/
a new personification of a familiar idea
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
embodyverbUS /ɪmˈbɑːdi/
represent in bodily form
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
divisible by two
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
five-and-twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
HectornounUS /ˈhektər/
(Greek mythology) a mythical Trojan who was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
inabilitynounUS /ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/
lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
inferioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
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 His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
MacintoshnounUS /ˈmækəntɔːʃ/
a lightweight waterproof (usually rubberized) fabric
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
used to form the superlative
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
in motion
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
not one, and not any
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
and nothing more
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
proclivitiesnounUS /proʊˈklɪvətiz/
plural of “proclivity” — a natural inclination
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
retirementnounUS /riˈtaɪərmənt/
the state of being retired from one's business or occupation
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
have in common
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
temptverbUS /tempt/
dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Nor, indeed, had he any friends who could tempt him to share with them what seemed to him his best; so that, in truth, he was intimate with none.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Among the rest was a strong tendency to regard only the ideal, and turn away from any authority derived from an inferior source.
utterancenounUS /ˈʌtərəns/
the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
literature in metrical form
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading But it was only in the retirement of his own chamber that he attempted their embodiment; of all things, he shrank from any communion whatever concerning these cherished matters.
at the time that
From this reading His chief delight lay in the attempt to embody, in what seemed to him the natural form of verse, the thoughts in him constantly moving at least in the direction of the ideal, even when he was most conscious of his inability to attain to the utterance of them.
which person or people
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Hector Macintosh was a young man about five-and-twenty, who, with the proclivities of the Celt, inherited also some of the consequent disabilities, as well as some that were accidental.
