used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
affordsverbUS /əˈfɔːrdz/
third-person singular of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
(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 PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
Black-and-Whiteadjective
lacking hue or shades of grey; part white and part black
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
borrowverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊ/
get temporarily
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
the two together, not just one
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading C. C. W.
a period of 100 years
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
determiningadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜːrmənɪŋ/
having the power or quality of deciding
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
editorsnounUS /ˈedɪtərz/
plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Opinions are troublesome things, especially to a writer of novels.
essaynounUS /eˈseɪ/
an analytic or interpretive literary composition
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
essaysnounUS /eˈseɪz/
plural of “essay” — an analytic or interpretive literary composition
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
FreemannounUS /ˈfriːmən/
a person who is not a serf or a slave
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
to a great degree or extent
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
NineteenthadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪnˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the eighteenth in position
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
novelsnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/
plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading Opinions are troublesome things, especially to a writer of novels.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
OpinionsnounUS /əˈpɪnjənz/
plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading Opinions are troublesome things, especially to a writer of novels.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
painlessadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪnləs/
requiring little hard work or exertion
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
approval to do something
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
PREFACEnounUS /ˈprefəs/
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
publicationsnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “publication” — a copy of a printed work offered for distribution
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
reprintnounUS /riˈprɪnt/
a publication (such as a book) that is reprinted without changes or editing and offered again for sale
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
shortestadjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtɪst/
superlative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
SophisticationnounUS /səˌfɪstəˈkeɪʃən/
uplifting enlightenment
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
moving very fast
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Opinions are troublesome things, especially to a writer of novels.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My thanks are due to the editors of both publications for permission to reprint those essays here.
troublesomeadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlsəm/
causing difficulty or annoyance
From this reading Opinions are troublesome things, especially to a writer of novels.
a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
From this reading C. C. W.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading PREFACE _Which should by all means be read, being quite as much an essay as any one of those that follow, and, if not the best, at any rate the shortest; so that it affords a swift and almost painless means of determining whether it is worth while to borrow the book._
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Opinions are troublesome things, especially to a writer of novels.
ZenithnounUS /ˈziːnəθ/
the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading Of the following essays, ‘Zenith’ and ‘Black-and-White’ originally appeared in _The Freeman_, ‘Sophistication’ and ‘The French’ in _The Nineteenth Century and After_.
