adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
addressverbUS /ˈædres/
speak to
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
ascertainedadjectiveUS /ˌæsərˈteɪnd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
attacknounUS /əˈtæk/
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And on essays, long and short, he began to pay the travelling expenses from magazine to magazine.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
citadelnounUS /ˈsɪt.ə.del/
A fortress protecting a city, metaphorically representing the invincible inner sanctuary of the rational mind.
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
compatibleadjectiveUS /kəmˈpætəbəl/
able to exist and perform in harmonious or agreeable combination
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
deliberateadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪbərət/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
EgonounUS /ˈiːɡoʊ/
an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
From this reading It was a little later that he followed up the attack with two short essays, “The Wonder-Dreamers” and “The Yardstick of the Ego.”
essaynounUS /eˈseɪ/
an analytic or interpretive literary composition
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
essaysnounUS /eˈseɪz/
plural of “essay” — an analytic or interpretive literary composition
From this reading It was a little later that he followed up the attack with two short essays, “The Wonder-Dreamers” and “The Yardstick of the Ego.”
expensesnounUS /ɪkˈspensəz/
plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading And on essays, long and short, he began to pay the travelling expenses from magazine to magazine.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It was a little later that he followed up the attack with two short essays, “The Wonder-Dreamers” and “The Yardstick of the Ego.”
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It was a little later that he followed up the attack with two short essays, “The Wonder-Dreamers” and “The Yardstick of the Ego.”
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a little later that he followed up the attack with two short essays, “The Wonder-Dreamers” and “The Yardstick of the Ego.”
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
Maeterlincknoun
Belgian playwright (1862-1949)
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
magazinenounUS /ˈmæɡəziːn/
a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading And on essays, long and short, he began to pay the travelling expenses from magazine to magazine.
Martin'snounUS /ˈmɑːrtənz/
possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
messengersnounUS /ˈmesəndʒərz/
plural of “messenger” — a person who carries a message
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
mysticismnounUS /ˈmɪstɪsɪzəm/
a religion based on mystical communion with an ultimate reality
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
payverbUS /peɪ/
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading And on essays, long and short, he began to pay the travelling expenses from magazine to magazine.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
schoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
sciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
ShamenounUS /ʃeɪm/
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading It was a little later that he followed up the attack with two short essays, “The Wonder-Dreamers” and “The Yardstick of the Ego.”
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
successnounUS /səkˈses/
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
SunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
SundaysnounUS /ˈsʌndeɪz/
plural of “sunday” — first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
thirtynounUS /ˈθɜːrdiː/
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But success had lost Martin’s address, and her messengers no longer came to his door.
toiledverbUS /tɔɪld/
past form of “toil” — work hard
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
travellingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading And on essays, long and short, he began to pay the travelling expenses from magazine to magazine.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was a little later that he followed up the attack with two short essays, “The Wonder-Dreamers” and “The Yardstick of the Ego.”
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a little later that he followed up the attack with two short essays, “The Wonder-Dreamers” and “The Yardstick of the Ego.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
wonder-dreamers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a deliberate attack on the mysticism of the Maeterlinck school—an attack from the citadel of positive science upon the wonder-dreamers, but an attack nevertheless that retained much of beauty and wonder of the sort compatible with ascertained fact.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading For twenty-five days, working Sundays and holidays, he toiled on “The Shame of the Sun,” a long essay of some thirty thousand words.
YardsticknounUS /ˈjɑːrdstɪk/
a measure or standard used for comparison
From this reading It was a little later that he followed up the attack with two short essays, “The Wonder-Dreamers” and “The Yardstick of the Ego.”
