1837
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
1849
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
from one side of something to the other
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LIFE, DEATH, AND IMMORTALITY.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
ApprenticeshipnounUS /əˈprentəsʃɪp/
the position of apprentice
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
aqueductnounUS /ˈækwədʌkt/
a conduit that resembles a bridge but carries water over a valley
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
aspirationsnounUS /ˌæspərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
aspiredverbUS /əˈspaɪrd/
past form of “aspire” — have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
bouldersnounUS /ˈboʊldərz/
plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
concentratedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪtɪd/
gathered together or made less diffuse
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
covetedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvətɪd/
greatly desired
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading LIFE, DEATH, AND IMMORTALITY.
dividesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪdz/
plural of “divide” — a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility)
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
durableadjectiveUS /ˈdʊrəbəl/
existing for a long time
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
GreeleynounUS /ˈɡriːli/
United States journalist with political ambitions (1811-1872)
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
HarvardnounUS /ˈhɑːrvərd/
a university in Massachusetts
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
IMMORTALITYnounUS /ˌɪmɔːrˈtælɪti/
the quality or state of being immortal
From this reading LIFE, DEATH, AND IMMORTALITY.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
Journey-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading LIFE, DEATH, AND IMMORTALITY.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
engage in
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
Mastershipnoun
the skill of a master
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
mechanicnounUS /məˈkænɪk/
a craftsman skilled in operating machine tools
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
merchantmannoun
a cargo ship
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
as might be expected
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
the local environment
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
repetitionnounUS /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/
an event that repeats
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
express in words
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
sentencesnounUS /ˈsentənsəz/
plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
suggestverbUS /səˈdʒest/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
thirstnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
ThoreaunounUS /θərˈoʊ/
United States writer and social critic (1817-1862)
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
in the direction of
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading It was this thirst for final and concentrated expression, and not love of fame, or "literary aspirations," as poor Greeley put it, which urged him on to write.
the act of using
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
volumesnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːmz/
plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
Wanderjahre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading To frame such sentences as these, he said, "as durable as a Roman aqueduct," was the art of writing coveted by him; "sentences which are expressive, towards which so many volumes, so much life went; which lie like boulders on the page, up and down or across,--not mere repetition, but creation, and which a man might sell his ground or cattle to build."
at the time that
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
in the company of; together with
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
the words that are spoken
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
produce a literary work
From this reading He had aspired to live and study and practice, so that he could write--to use his own words--"sentences which suggest far more than they say, which have an atmosphere about them, which do not report an old, but make a new impression."
the act of creating written works
From this reading The life of Thoreau naturally divides itself into three parts: his Apprenticeship, from birth to the summer of 1837, when he left Harvard College; his Journey-work (Wanderjahre) from 1837 to 1849, when he appeared as an author, with his first book; and his Mastership,--not of a college, a merchantman, or a mechanic art, but of the trade and mystery of writing.
