Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

associated with academia or an academy

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

matters of personal concern

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

a strong creative impulse; divine inspiration

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

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

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

(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 "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

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

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

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

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

plural of “deal” — a particular instance of buying or selling

From this reading He deals with plain men and women, and the un-majestic moments of their lives.

an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

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

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

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

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

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

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

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

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

set up or found

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

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

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

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

From this reading He deals with plain men and women, and the un-majestic moments of their lives.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

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

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

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

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

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

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

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

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

United States writer and editor (1837-1920)

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

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

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

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

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

plural of “lead” — an advantage held by a competitor in a race

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

of less size or importance

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

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

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He deals with plain men and women, and the un-majestic moments of their lives.

having or revealing supreme mastery or skill

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

the force of workers available

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

United States architect who was the presidentially appointed architect of Washington D.C. (1781-1855)

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading He deals with plain men and women, and the un-majestic moments of their lives.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

not any; not one

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

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

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

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

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading He deals with plain men and women, and the un-majestic moments of their lives.

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

possessive form of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

literature in metrical form

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

plural of “reality” — all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

manifest or bring back

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

containing or using responses; alternating

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

chosen in preference to another

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

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

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

the quality of being significant

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

plural of “story” — 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 "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

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

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He deals with plain men and women, and the un-majestic moments of their lives.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

plural of “theme” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

in or at that place or location

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

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

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

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

From this reading He deals with plain men and women, and the un-majestic moments of their lives.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading "Life at High Tide"--the title selected for this little volume of short stories, and having a real significance for each of them, which the reader may find out for himself--does not reflect the poet's meaning, and, least of all, its easy optimism.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Thus the poet--and poetry, of the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension.

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

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

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

From this reading William Dean Howells and Henry Mills Alden There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He deals with plain men and women, and the un-majestic moments of their lives.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He deals with plain men and women, and the un-majestic moments of their lives.

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

From this reading The writer of fiction has no such afflatus, no such high pitch of life, as to outward circumstance, in his representation of it, as the poet has; and therefore his may seem to the academic critic the lesser art--but it is nearer to the realities of common human existence.