adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
accountnounUS /əˈkaʊnt/
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
affordverbUS /əˈfɔːrd/
be able to spare or give up
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
amusementnounUS /əˈmjuːzmənt/
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
BaileynounUS /ˈbeɪli/
United States singer (1918-1990)
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
bearverbUS /ber/
have
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
Biffen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
Biffen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
coldlyadverbUS /ˈkoʊldli/
lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
contemptuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtemptʃuːəs/
expressing extreme contempt
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
declinedverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
effortsnounUS /ˈefərts/
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
firmadjectiveUS /fɜːrm/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
greatlyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtli/
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
GrocernounUS /ˈɡroʊsər/
a retail merchant who sells foodstuffs (and some household supplies)
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
Milvain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
notwithstandingadverbUS /ˌnɑːtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
novelist's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
poundsnounUS /paʊndz/
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
profitsnounUS /ˈprɑːfɪts/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
publishersnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃərz/
plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
reviewersnounUS /riˈvjuːərz/
plural of “reviewer” — someone who reads manuscripts and judges their suitability for publication
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
sagesnounUS /ˈseɪdʒɪz/
plural of “sage” — a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
seemsverbUS /siːmz/
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
skilfuladjective
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
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 ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
successnounUS /səkˈses/
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
wroteverbUS /roʊt/
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
