used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading |Uncle Timothy was an excursive talker and walker.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading |Uncle Timothy was an excursive talker and walker.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
auctionnounUS /ˈɑːkʃən/
a variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
audiencesnounUS /ˈɑːdiənsəz/
plural of “audience” — a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
austeritynounUS /ˌɔːˈsterɪti/
the trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
book-stalls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
confined by bonds
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
displaysnounUS /dɪˈspleɪz/
plural of “display” — something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
excursiveadjective
(of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects
From this reading |Uncle Timothy was an excursive talker and walker.
exhibitionnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/
the act of exhibiting
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/
being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
only a very short time before
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
intellectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəl/
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
not any; not one
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
panoramanounUS /ˌpænərˈæmə/
the visual percept of a region
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
philosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
phrasesnounUS /ˈfreɪzəz/
plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
portfoliosnounUS /pɔːrtˈfoʊlioʊz/
plural of “portfolio” — a large, flat, thin case for carrying loose papers or drawings or maps; usually leather
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
printsnounUS /prɪnts/
plural of “print” — the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
Punch's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
ramblingadjectiveUS /ˈræmblɪŋ/
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
ready-cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
rummagingverbUS /ˈrʌmɪdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “rummage” — search haphazardly
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
shopsnounUS /ʃɑːps/
plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
steppingverbUS /ˈstepɪŋ/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
superciliousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈsɪliəs/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
talkernounUS /ˈtɔːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading |Uncle Timothy was an excursive talker and walker.
tendverbUS /tend/
have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
TimothynounUS /ˈtɪməθi/
grass with long cylindrical spikes grown in northern United States and Europe for hay
From this reading |Uncle Timothy was an excursive talker and walker.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
unbendingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnˈbendɪŋ/
incapable of adapting or changing to meet circumstances
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading |Uncle Timothy was an excursive talker and walker.
unfrequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to be seen looking into curiosity shops; rummaging old book-stalls; turning over portfolios of curious prints; stepping into an auction, a panorama, an exhibition of ancient pictures; sometimes rambling in the green fields, and not unfrequently making one of Punch's laughing audiences.
except if; if not
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
upheldverbUS /əpˈheld/
inflected form of “uphold” — keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
precisely as stated
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
walkernounUS /ˈwɔːkər/
New Zealand runner who in 1975 became the first person to run a mile in less that 3 minutes and 50 seconds (born in 1952)
From this reading |Uncle Timothy was an excursive talker and walker.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading |Uncle Timothy was an excursive talker and walker.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
at the time that
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had no set phrases; nothing ready-cut and dried (which is often _very dry_) for formal intellectual displays.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When he rose in the morning, unless bound by some engagement, he hardly knew whither his footsteps would tend.
would-beadjective
unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading It is the opinion of some would-be philosophers that their dignity is best upheld by an unbending austerity, and a supercilious contempt for whatever engaged the attention of their youth.
