Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

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

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

openly declared as such

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

a British or Canadian lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law on behalf of either the defense or prosecution

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

plural of “beginning” — the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

someone who makes an offer

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was easy to recognize that Pamela was not only good but goody-goody.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

plural of “career” — the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

represent in or produce a caricature of

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

a period of 100 years

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It was easy to recognize that Pamela was not only good but goody-goody.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

coming next after the seventeenth in position

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

at any time

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

(baseball) handling the ball while playing in the field

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

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

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It was easy to recognize that Pamela was not only good but goody-goody.

a person who behaves extremely well in order to please a superior

From this reading It was easy to recognize that Pamela was not only good but goody-goody.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

past form of “harangue” — deliver a harangue to; address forcefully

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

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

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

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

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

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

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

someone who acts speaks or writes in an amusing way

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

of the present time and place

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

of great significance or value

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

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

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

plural of “incident” — a single distinct event

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

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

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

a writer for newspapers and magazines

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

engage in

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

a man devoted to the pursuit of pleasure

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

make imperfect

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

one who writes novels

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

and nothing more

From this reading It was easy to recognize that Pamela was not only good but goody-goody.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

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

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading It was easy to recognize that Pamela was not only good but goody-goody.

United States architect (1838-1886)

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

a particular instance of selling

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

a humorist who uses ridicule and irony and sarcasm

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

from appearances alone

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

someone who indulges in excessive sentimentality

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

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

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

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

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

morally excellent

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

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

From this reading Certain it is that the immediate cause of Fielding's first story was the effect upon him of the fortunes of the virtuous Pamela.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

in or at the place that

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

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

From this reading So slight, so seemingly accidental, are the incidents which make or mar careers and change the course of literary history.

belonging to which person

From this reading A satirist and humorist where Richardson was a somewhat solemn sentimentalist, Fielding was quick to see the weakness, and--more important,--the opportunity for caricature, in such a tale, whose folk harangued about morality and whose avowed motive was a kind of hard-surfaced, carefully calculated honor, for sale to the highest bidder.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS: FIELDING It is interesting to ask if Henry Fielding, barrister, journalist, tinker of plays and man-about-town, would ever have turned novelist, had it not been for Richardson, his predecessor.