adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “The Universal Passion” is indeed a very great performance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
charactersnounUS /ˈkærəktərz/
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
conceits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
discernmentnounUS /dɪˈsɝːn.mənt/
The ability to judge well and perceive the true nature of events.
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
distichs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
endeavournounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
epigrams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
exhaustedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “The Universal Passion” is indeed a very great performance.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
HoracenounUS /ˈhɔːrəs/
Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
illustrationsnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/
plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
imagesnounUS /ˈɪmədʒəz/
plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading “The Universal Passion” is indeed a very great performance.
intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “The Universal Passion” is indeed a very great performance.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
Juvenalnoun
Roman satirist who denounced the vice and folly of Roman society during the reign of the emperor Domitian (60-140)
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
laxitynounUS /ˈlæksəti/
the condition of being physiologically lax
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
moralitynounUS /mərˈæləti/
concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
nicetynounUS /ˈnaɪsɪti/
conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
numbersnounUS /ˈnʌmbərz/
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
PassionnounUS /ˈpæʃən/
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading “The Universal Passion” is indeed a very great performance.
penetratesverbUS /ˈpenətreɪts/
third-person singular of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading “The Universal Passion” is indeed a very great performance.
perusalnounUS /pərˈuːzəl/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
playsnounUS /pleɪz/
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
pleaseverbUS /pliːz/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/
literature in metrical form
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
pointedadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪntɪd/
having a point
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
pointsnounUS /pɔɪnts/
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
productionnounUS /prəˈdʌkʃən/
the act or process of producing something
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
recessesnounUS /ˈriːsesəz/
plural of “recess” — a state of abeyance or suspended business
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
resistlessadjective
impossible to resist; overpowering
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
satirenounUS /ˈsætaɪər/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
sentencesnounUS /ˈsentənsəz/
plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
sharpnessnounUS /ˈʃɑːrpnəs/
a quick and penetrating intelligence
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
strikingadjectiveUS /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “The Universal Passion” is indeed a very great performance.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
truthnounUS /truːθ/
a fact that has been verified
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
UniversaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading “The Universal Passion” is indeed a very great performance.
variationnounUS /ˌveriˈeɪʃən/
an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading “The Universal Passion” is indeed a very great performance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
weightnounUS /weɪt/
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It is said to be a series of epigrams, but, if it be, it is what the author intended; his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences, and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiments, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His characters are often selected with discernment and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading His species of satire is between those of Horace and Juvenal, and he has the gaiety of Horace without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images.
