Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

past form of “aim” — point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

(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 Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

not functioning properly

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

any thing at all

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

have

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

put or pin the blame on

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

an occurrence of something

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

harsh criticism or disapproval

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

an official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

threatening with damnation

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

determine the essential quality of

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

move deeply

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

cut open

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

not elegant or graceful in expression

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

of or relating to or having the characteristics of journalism

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

plural of “judgment” — an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

of lesser importance or stature or rank

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

used to form the superlative

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

easily agitated

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

not any; not one

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

many times at short intervals

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

a new appraisal or evaluation

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

express in words

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

express in words

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

your usual mood

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

lacking intelligence

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

plural of “worry” — something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

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

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.