used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
(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 Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
assertionnounUS /əˈsɜːrʃən/
a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary)
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
for the reason that
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
brighteradjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtər/
comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
taking care or paying attention
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
confidentiallyadverbUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəli/
in a confidential manner
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
corporealadjective
having material or physical form or substance
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
corpulencenoun
the property of excessive fatness
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
crystalnounUS /ˈkrɪstəl/
a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
give a description of
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
disgustverbUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
fill with distaste
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
cause to move by pulling
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
dubiousadjectiveUS /ˈduːbiəs/
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
divisible by two
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
exertionsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃənz/
plural of “exertion” — use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
Fie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
set up or found
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
heroesnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
imperfectionnounUS /ˌɪmpərˈfekʃən/
the state or an instance of being imperfect
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
injureverbUS /ˈɪndʒər/
cause injuries or bodily harm to
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
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 The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
come together
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
middle-age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
and nothing more
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
outsetnounUS /ˈaʊtset/
the time at which something is supposed to begin
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
express in words
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
Tchichikoff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
displeasing to the senses
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
uninterestingadjectiveUS /əˈnɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
unpardonableadjective
not admitting of pardon
From this reading The very corpulence and middle-age of Tchichikoff are calculated to injure him from the very outset: corpulence is unpardonable in a hero, and many fair ladies will turn away in disgust, and say, "Fie! how ugly, how very uninteresting!"
valuelessadjectiveUS /ˈvæljuːləs/
of no value
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
precisely as stated
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading However carefully he may describe his character, and were he even to draw his portrait brighter than a crystal mirror, his exertions, his talents, will be valueless, his time and labour thrown away.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is a very dubious circumstance whether the hero we have selected for our story will meet with much favour at the hands of our readers.
woenounUS /woʊ/
misery resulting from affliction
From this reading Ladies he is sure not to please--and this assertion we advance confidentially--because ladies expect a hero to be a perfect creation, and if he present but the slightest mental or corporeal imperfection, then, woe to the author!
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Alas! all this is but too well known to the author, for the more he has looked about him, the more he has found it the case that perfect heroes are the only ones that meet with success in this world.
