1825
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
acknowledgedadjectiveUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒd/
recognized or made known or admitted
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
a cherished desire
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
from appearances alone
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
for the reason that
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
Bowdoin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
definitenessnoun
the quality of being predictable with great confidence
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
detestverbUS /dɪˈtest/
dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
eminencenounUS /ˈemənəns/
high status importance owing to marked superiority
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
graduatedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːeɪtɪd/
marked with or divided into degrees
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
only a very short time before
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
LongfellownounUS /ˈlɔːŋfeloʊ/
United States poet remembered for his long narrative poems (1807-1882)
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
engage in
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
and nothing more
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
not any; not one
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
many times at short intervals
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
physicnoun
a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading LITERATURE AS A PURSUIT Longfellow graduated at Bowdoin College in June, 1825.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
unwillingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/
not disposed or inclined toward
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I cannot make a lawyer of any eminence, because I have not a talent for argument; I am not good enough for a minister,--and as to physic, I utterly and absolutely detest it."
a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
nonexistent
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
WellsnounUS /welz/
prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
at the time that
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was in his mind, apparently, from the first, that definiteness of purpose which is so often wanting when a student takes his first college degree.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
willinglyadverbUS /ˈwɪlɪŋli/
in a willing manner
From this reading There was for him no doubt or hesitation: it must be literature or nothing; and this not merely from a preference for the pursuit, but from an ambition, willingly acknowledged, to make a name in that direction.
writesverbUS /raɪts/
third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
but in spite of that
From this reading He writes to his friend, George W. Wells, "Somehow, and yet I hardly know why, I am unwilling to study any profession.
