used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
Claude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading They were less evident than his foibles, which, indeed, continually obscured them.
dilettantenoun
an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
entitledadjectiveUS /enˈtaɪtəld/
qualified for by right according to law
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
essentiallyadverbUS /eˈsenʃəli/
in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading They were less evident than his foibles, which, indeed, continually obscured them.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
foiblesnounUS /ˈfɔɪbəlz/
plural of “foible” — a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
From this reading They were less evident than his foibles, which, indeed, continually obscured them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
gracesnounUS /ˈɡreɪsɪz/
plural of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading They were less evident than his foibles, which, indeed, continually obscured them.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
Lafont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
laggardnounUS /ˈlæɡərd/
someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading They were less evident than his foibles, which, indeed, continually obscured them.
the literary culture
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading These were the merits of the man.
meritsnounUS /ˈmerəts/
plural of “merit” — any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading These were the merits of the man.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
obscuredverbUS /əbsˈkjʊrd/
past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear
From this reading They were less evident than his foibles, which, indeed, continually obscured them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
pedantnounUS /ˈpedənt/
a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
saltedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːltɪd/
(used especially of meats) preserved in salt
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading He had enthusiasm and some soul; he had an open hand and an essentially simple mind.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were less evident than his foibles, which, indeed, continually obscured them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were less evident than his foibles, which, indeed, continually obscured them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were the merits of the man.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were less evident than his foibles, which, indeed, continually obscured them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
vicenounUS /vaɪs/
moral weakness
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were the merits of the man.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "HAPPY JACK" A dilettante in letters, a laggard in love, and a pedant in much of his speech, Claude Lafont was nevertheless possessed of certain graces of the heart and head which entitled him at all events to the kindly consideration of his friends.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would have been the better for one really bad fault: but nature had not salted him with a single vice.
