used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
accidentsnounUS /ˈæksədənts/
plural of “accident” — an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
a quantity of money
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
move towards
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
betokening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading They were themselves the chief pioneers of the better way.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
broaderadjectiveUS /ˈbrɔːdər/
comparative of “broad” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
a person who is in charge
From this reading They were themselves the chief pioneers of the better way.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
complimentverbUS /ˈkɑːmpləment/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
DickensnounUS /ˈdɪkənz/
a word used in exclamations of confusion
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
fertileadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrtəl/
capable of reproducing
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
GampnounUS /ɡæmp/
colloquial terms for an umbrella
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
GenialitynounUS /ˌdʒiːniˈæləti/
a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
gentleradjectiveUS /ˈdʒentlər/
comparative of “gentle” — soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
HoodnounUS /hʊd/
an aggressive and violent young criminal
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
humoristnounUS /ˈhjuːmərəst/
someone who acts speaks or writes in an amusing way
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
LevernounUS /ˈlevər/
a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
the force of workers available
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
milderadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪldər/
comparative of “mild” — moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
MixturenounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
mutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/
common to or shared by two or more parties
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
not any; not one
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
PathosnounUS /ˈpeɪθɑːs/
a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow)
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
pioneersnounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪrz/
plural of “pioneer” — someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading They were themselves the chief pioneers of the better way.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
ridiculenounUS /ˈrɪdəkjuːl/
language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
stupiditynounUS /stuːˈpɪdɪtiː/
a poor ability to understand or to profit from experience
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They were themselves the chief pioneers of the better way.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were themselves the chief pioneers of the better way.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
undueadjectiveUS /ənˈduː/
not yet payable
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
uneducatedadjectiveUS /əˈnedʒʊkeɪtɪd/
not having a good education
From this reading Hitherto the poor and uneducated had been regarded with a certain amount of contempt; their language and stupidity had formed fertile subjects for the coarse ridicule of the humorist.
plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
VulgaritynounUS /vəlˈɡerɪti/
the quality of lacking taste and refinement
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They were themselves the chief pioneers of the better way.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We shall be paying Hood no undue compliment if we couple his name with that of Dickens as betokening the approach of milder and gentler sentiments.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were themselves the chief pioneers of the better way.
at the time that
From this reading But now a change was in progress; broader views were gaining ground, and a time was coming when men, notwithstanding the accidents of birth and fortune, should feel mutual sympathy, and "brothers be for a' that."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dickens--Sympathy with the Poor--Vulgarity--Geniality--Mrs. Gamp--Mixture of Pathos and Humour--Lever and Dickens compared--Dickens' power of Description--General Remarks.
