used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
achieveverbUS /əˈtʃiːv/
to gain with effort
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
put or pin the blame on
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he offered not a word of comment upon his work.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading But he offered not a word of comment upon his work.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
criticsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪks/
plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
greatly pleased
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
devil-may-careadjective
cheerfully irresponsible
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
exultantlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzʌltəntli/
in an exultant manner
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he offered not a word of comment upon his work.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But he offered not a word of comment upon his work.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
IDENTITYnounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
go away from a place
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
most important element
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
masterpiecesnounUS /ˈmæstərpiːsəz/
plural of “masterpiece” — the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
mischievousadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstʃəvəs/
naughtily or annoyingly playful
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
a form of address for a man
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But he offered not a word of comment upon his work.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading But he offered not a word of comment upon his work.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
PanverbUS /pæn/
make a sweeping movement
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
peelverbUS /piːl/
strip the skin off
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
Pyecroft's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
roastverbUS /roʊst/
cook with dry heat, usually in an oven
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood up.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He stood up.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But he offered not a word of comment upon his work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "I believe I promised to peel the potatoes and put on the roast," he remarked, and went out.
whimsicaladjectiveUS /ˈwɪmzɪkəl/
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
From this reading A QUESTION OF IDENTITY Mr. Pyecroft's grin grew by degrees more delighted: became the smile of a whimsical genius of devil-may-care, of an exultantly mischievous Pan.
which person or people
From this reading He was an artist who was, in the main, content to achieve his masterpieces and leave comment and blame and praise to his public and his critics.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading But he offered not a word of comment upon his work.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But he offered not a word of comment upon his work.
