used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
Abbé
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
admirernounUS /ædˈmaɪrər/
a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
appreciationnounUS /əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃən/
understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
characteristicallyadverbUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪkli/
in characteristic manner
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
classicnounUS /ˈklæsɪk/
a creation of the highest excellence
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
comicaladjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪkəl/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
criticnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪk/
a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
Delille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
despiser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
dislikedadjectiveUS /dɪˈslaɪkt/
regarded with aversion
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
enthusiasticadjectiveUS /ɪnˌθuːziˈæstɪk/
having or showing great excitement and interest
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
divisible by two
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
FrenchmennounUS /ˈfrentʃmen/
plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
only a very short time before
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
inherentadjectiveUS /ɪnˈhɪrənt/
existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
insolencenounUS /ˈɪnsələns/
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/
knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
Landor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
LessingnounUS /ˈlesɪŋ/
German playwright and leader of the Enlightenment (1729-1781)
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
MiltonnounUS /ˈmɪltən/
English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
not any; not one
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
literature in metrical form
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
PopenounUS /poʊp/
the head of the Roman Catholic Church
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
pronouncedadjectiveUS /prəˈnaʊnst/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
reformnounUS /rəˈfɔːrm/
a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
reproaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
satirenounUS /ˈsætaɪər/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
severeradjectiveUS /ˈsevɪrər/
comparative of “severe” — intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
strikesnounUS /straɪks/
plural of “strike” — a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
stylisticadjectiveUS /staɪˈlɪstɪk/
of or relating to style (especially in the use of language)
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
supporternounUS /səˈpɔːrtər/
a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
usesnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading In the Conversation between himself and the Abbé Delille he uses, as a critic of French tragedy, even severer language than Lessing, and shows no more appreciation than Lessing did of the great stylistic capacity inherent in the characteristically French intellect.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
VoltairenounUS /voʊlˈter/
French writer who was the embodiment of 18th century Enlightenment (1694-1778)
From this reading But he had as great a contempt for their literature as for their politics, and despised Voltaire, the author, quite as much as Voltaire, the man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the handling of the weapons of satire, Landor might have learned much from the Frenchmen whom he disliked so heartily.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It strikes us as comical to hear one man reproaching another with the utmost insolence for being too polished.
WordsworthnounUS /ˈwɜːrdzwərθ/
a romantic English poet whose work was inspired by the Lake District where he spent most of his life (1770-1850)
From this reading One hardly needs to be told that a man with this opinion of French classic poetry was a despiser of Pope, an enthusiastic admirer of Milton, and a pronounced supporter of the reform of English poetry demanded by Wordsworth.
