1747
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
18th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
2
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LONDON, October 2, O. S.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
BOYnounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
coloringnounUS /ˈkʌlərɪŋ/
a digestible substance used to give color to food
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
curiousadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.
infinitelyadverbUS /ˈɪnfənətli/
without bounds
From this reading This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.
insideadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
judgeverbUS /dʒʌdʒ/
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
LONDONnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading LONDON, October 2, O. S.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
meanverbUS /miːn/
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
NnounUS /en/
a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
OnounUS /oʊ/
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading LONDON, October 2, O. S.
observationnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃən/
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading LONDON, October 2, O. S.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
penetrationnounUS /ˌpenəˈtreɪʃən/
an attack that penetrates into enemy territory
From this reading This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.
portraitnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrət/
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/
plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
proofnounUS /pruːf/
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
requiresverbUS /riˈkwaɪərz/
third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.
SnounUS /es/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading LONDON, October 2, O. S.
sciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
SwitzerlandnounUS /ˈswɪtsərlənd/
a landlocked federal republic in central Europe
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
tolerablyadverb
in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
usefuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːsfəl/
being of use or service
From this reading This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
viewsnounUS /vjuːz/
plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.
