Chapter I

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

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

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

From this reading The reader would be entitled to reply, as Alceste replies to Orontes: “We shall see.”

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

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

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

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

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The reader would be entitled to reply, as Alceste replies to Orontes: “We shall see.”

being ahead of time or need

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

the two together, not just one

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

carefully weighed

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

third-person singular of “destroy” — do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

render capable or able for some task

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

qualified for by right according to law

From this reading The reader would be entitled to reply, as Alceste replies to Orontes: “We shall see.”

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

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

at any time

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

set up or found

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

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

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

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

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

an erroneous mental representation

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

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

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

third-person singular of “injure” — cause injuries or bodily harm to

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

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

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

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 _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

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

From this reading The reader would be entitled to reply, as Alceste replies to Orontes: “We shall see.”

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

third-person singular of “please” — give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

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

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

plural of “reply” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading The reader would be entitled to reply, as Alceste replies to Orontes: “We shall see.”

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading The reader would be entitled to reply, as Alceste replies to Orontes: “We shall see.”

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The reader would be entitled to reply, as Alceste replies to Orontes: “We shall see.”

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading The reader would be entitled to reply, as Alceste replies to Orontes: “We shall see.”

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

in the near future

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

required or under orders

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

a discussion intended to produce an agreement

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

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

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

(formal) in or into that thing or place

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

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

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading _We had drawn near to each other, having both left the table to go to the window.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nor have I ever supposed that the public read a novel in order to talk with its author.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The reader would be entitled to reply, as Alceste replies to Orontes: “We shall see.”

produce a literary work

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading I do not know how it happened, but I soon found Eugénie in my arms; then we kissed, we walked away from the window, and----_ I have never written prefaces to my novels; I have always considered what an author says in a preface, what he therein explains beforehand to the reader, as utterly useless.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading It matters little to my readers, I presume, whether I am young or old, short or tall, whether I write in the morning or at night; what they want is a work that pleases them, in which there is enough of truth to enable them to identify themselves with the characters; and if the author constantly talks of himself and stations himself between his heroes and his reader, it seems to me that he destroys the illusion and injures his own work.