used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading Sometimes he sent articles or stories to the press, but from them he received no encouragement.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
(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 But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
bramblesnounUS /ˈbræmbəlz/
plural of “bramble” — any of various rough thorny shrubs or vines
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
cankernounUS /ˈkæŋkər/
a fungal disease of woody plants that causes localized damage to the bark
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
close-written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
combatnounUS /ˈkɑːmbæt/
an engagement fought between two military forces
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
corruptedadjectiveUS /kərˈʌptɪd/
containing errors or alterations
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
criticnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪk/
a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
cynicismnounUS /ˈsɪnɪsɪzəm/
a cynical feeling of distrust
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
embitteredverbUS /emˈbɪtərd/
past form of “embitter” — cause to be bitter or resentful
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
encouragementnounUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the expression of approval and support
From this reading Sometimes he sent articles or stories to the press, but from them he received no encouragement.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
hedgerownoun
a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
hurlverbUS /hɜːrl/
throw forcefully
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
imprecationnoun
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
IVnoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
nightshadenounUS /ˈnaɪtʃeɪd/
any of numerous shrubs or herbs or vines of the genus Solanum; most are poisonous though many bear edible fruit
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
not any; not one
From this reading Sometimes he sent articles or stories to the press, but from them he received no encouragement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
OraclenounUS /ˈɔːrəkəl/
an authoritative person who divines the future
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
outlooknounUS /ˈaʊtlʊk/
a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
overranverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈræn/
inflected form of “overrun” — invade in great numbers
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading Sometimes he sent articles or stories to the press, but from them he received no encouragement.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Sometimes he sent articles or stories to the press, but from them he received no encouragement.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
scatterverbUS /ˈskætər/
to cause to separate and go in different directions
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Sometimes he sent articles or stories to the press, but from them he received no encouragement.
severestadjectiveUS /səˈvɪrəst/
superlative of “severe” — intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes he sent articles or stories to the press, but from them he received no encouragement.
souredadjectiveUS /ˈsaʊərd/
having turned bad
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
plural of “story” — 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 Sometimes he sent articles or stories to the press, but from them he received no encouragement.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
propel through the air
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
twiningverbUS /ˈtwaɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading But the canker of cynicism overran and corrupted his better thoughts like deadly nightshade twining in the brambles of a hedgerow.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Always his own severest critic, he would tear up the sheets of close-written manuscript and scatter them over the room, stamp his feet or throw up the window and hurl imprecation at the dying night.
produce a literary work
From this reading IV The days of his employment on the staff of _The Oracle_ were far from happy, and the material he was asked to write soured his style and embittered his outlook.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Of this circumstance he was painfully aware, and tried to combat it by writing of simple, gentle matters for his own education.
