used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
acquirements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
in addition
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
a cherished desire
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
the two together, not just one
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
chancesnounUS /ˈtʃænsəz/
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
coxcombry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
dissipationnounUS /ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/
breaking up and scattering by dispersion
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
drawsnounUS /drɔːz/
plural of “draw” — a gully that is shallower than a ravine
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
eccentricitynounUS /ˌeksənˈtrɪsəti/
strange and unconventional behavior
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
exertionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃən/
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
gaieties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
inclinationsnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “inclination” — an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
indulgedverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒd/
past form of “indulge” — give free rein to
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
the literary culture
From this reading --Letters of Stephen Montague.
lotterynounUS /ˈlɑːtəri/
something that is regarded as a chance event
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
Montague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Letters of Stephen Montague.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
nicknamedverbUS /ˈnɪkneɪmd/
past form of “nickname” — give a nickname to
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading --Letters of Stephen Montague.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
orbitnounUS /ˈɔːrbət/
the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
perceptibleadjectiveUS /pərˈseptəbəl/
capable of being perceived by the mind or senses
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
pregnantadjectiveUS /ˈpreɡnənt/
carrying developing offspring within the body or being about to produce new life
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
prizesnounUS /ˈpraɪzəz/
plural of “prize” — something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
rechercheadjective
lavishly elegant and refined
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
renderingnounUS /ˈrendərɪŋ/
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
cut with a saw
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
only a very short time before
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
shrunkverbUS /ʃrʌŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading --Letters of Stephen Montague.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
universallyadverbUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəli/
everywhere
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
precisely as stated
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
Vincent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
in or at the place that
From this reading Ambition is a lottery, where, however uneven the chances, there are some prizes; but in dissipation, every one draws a blank.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The season was not far advanced before I grew heartily tired of what are nicknamed its gaieties; I shrunk, by rapid degrees, into a very small orbit, from which I rarely moved.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
belonging to which person
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I had already established a certain reputation for eccentricity, coxcombry, and, to my great astonishment, also for talent; and my pride was satisfied with finding myself universally recherche, whilst I indulged my inclinations by rendering myself universally scarce.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading I saw much of Vincent, whose varied acquirements and great talents became more and more perceptible, both as my own acquaintance with him increased, and as the political events with which that year was pregnant, called forth their exertion and display.
