1894
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
abstractionnounUS /æbˈstrækʃən/
a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
(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 (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
ancientsnounUS /ˈeɪntʃənts/
people who lived in times long past (especially during the historical period before the fall of the Roman Empire in western Europe)
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
antiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
for the reason that
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
blindedadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪd/
deprived of sight
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
a period of 100 years
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
complexitynounUS /kəmˈpleksəti/
the quality of being intricate and compounded
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
unvarying in nature
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
debasedadjectiveUS /dəˈbeɪst/
mixed with impurities
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
the act of discovering something
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
the organ of sight
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
factornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
fathersnounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
Lucian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
Lucian's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
mankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
modernsnounUS /ˈmɑːdərnz/
plural of “modern” — a contemporary person
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
naturalistnounUS /ˈnætʃərələst/
an advocate of the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
note-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
OriginallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
pedanticadjectiveUS /pəˈdæntɪk/
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
Petroniusnoun
Roman satirist (died in 66)
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
pitilessadjectiveUS /ˈpɪtiləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
prepared and printed for distribution and sale
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
respectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪd/
receiving deferential regard
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
only a very short time before
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
skeinnounUS /skeɪn/
coils of worsted yarn
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
textnounUS /tekst/
the words of something written
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
in or at that place or location
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
unravelverbUS /ənˈrævəl/
become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
vanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
a vivid mental image
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading He replaced the tradition, respected of his fathers, by an observation more vivid and less pedantic than the note-book of the naturalist.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
wearsnounUS /werz/
plural of “wear” — impairment resulting from long use
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His personages are as familiar to-day as they were in the second century, because, with his pitiless determination to unravel the tangled skein of human folly, he never blinded his vision to their true qualities.
in the company of; together with
From this reading (Originally published with the Greek text in 1894.) It is a commonplace of criticism that Lucian was the first of the moderns, but in truth he is near to our time because of all the ancients he is nearest to his own.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading With Petronius he shared the discovery that there is material for literature in the debased and various life of every day--that to the seeing eye the individual is more wonderful in colour and complexity than the severely simple abstraction of the poets.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
the act of creating written works
From this reading He set the world in the dry light of truth, and since the vanity of mankind is a constant factor throughout the ages, there is scarce a page of Lucian's writing that wears the faded air of antiquity.
