Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

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

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

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

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

(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 Gradually all this had changed.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

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

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading Gradually all this had changed.

of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

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

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

a particular society at a particular time and place

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

in accordance with convention or custom

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

something many people believe that is false

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

encouragement; aiding the development of something

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Gradually all this had changed.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

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

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

United States writer remembered for his stories (1783-1859)

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

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

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

time available for ease and relaxation

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

plural 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 Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

of very great significance

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

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

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

possessive form of “people” — (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

on the contrary

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

make reference to

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

markedly new or introducing radical change

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

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

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Gradually all this had changed.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

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

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading A new generation had grown up with more leisure for writing and more time to devote to the general culture of the public.

at or nearest to the top

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

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

From this reading Religion and the affairs of the separate commonwealths were uppermost in people's minds in colonial days; political warfare and the defence of the policy of Congress absorbed attention in Revolutionary times; and later the necessity of expounding principles of government and of fostering a national feeling produced a literature of fact rather than of fancy.

at the time that

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Such writing as had hitherto attracted attention concerned itself, not with matters of the imagination, but with facts and theories of current and momentous interest.

the third of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures

From this reading 1825-1840 _American Writers and English Critics_ It is customary to refer to the early writings of Washington Irving as works that marked the time when literature pure and simple developed in America.