1912
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
absolutelyadverbUS /ˌæbsəˈluːtli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
actualadjectiveUS /ˈæktʃəwəl/
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
charactersnounUS /ˈkærəktərz/
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
companionnounUS /kəmˈpænjən/
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
discoveredadjectiveUS /dɪˈskʌvərd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
editionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
God-speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
historiansnounUS /hɪˈstɔːriənz/
plural of “historian” — a person who is an authority on history and who studies it and writes about it
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
historicaladjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/
of or relating to the study of history
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
identifyverbUS /aɪˈdentəfaɪ/
recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
IndeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture.
intimatelyadverbUS /ˈɪntəmətli/
in a close manner
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
mainadjectiveUS /meɪn/
most important element
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
MostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
novelsnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/
plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
OnlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/
plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
portraiturenoun
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
proofnounUS /pruːf/
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
relationnounUS /riˈleɪʃən/
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
restrictverbUS /riˈstrɪkt/
place restrictions on
From this reading Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
schemenounUS /skiːm/
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
specialadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəl/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
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 Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
subscriptionnounUS /səbˈskrɪpʃən/
a payment for consecutive issues of a newspaper or magazine for a given period of time
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
suggestedverbUS /səˈdʒestɪd/
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
trustnounUS /trʌst/
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
understandingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
volumenounUS /ˈvɑːljuːm/
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
warmernounUS /ˈwɔːrmər/
device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
wishverbUS /wɪʃ/
hope for; have a wish
From this reading Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
worksnounUS /wɜːrks/
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture.
