used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
(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 With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
artificialadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəl/
contrived by art rather than nature
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
besettingverbUS /bɪˈsetɪŋ/
inflected form of “beset” — annoy continually or chronically
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
(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 With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
CuratenounUS /ˈkjʊrət/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
curvesnounUS /kɜːrvz/
plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
delicacynounUS /ˈdeləkəsi/
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
divisible by two
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
at any time
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
ever-increasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
extremitiesnounUS /ekˈstremətiz/
plural of “extremity” — an external body part that projects from the body
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
opinion or judgment
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
gloried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
glossnounUS /ɡlɔːs/
an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
in a gradual manner
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
grainnounUS /ɡreɪn/
a relatively small granular particle of a substance
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
harmlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrmləs/
not causing or capable of causing harm
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
infirmitiesnounUS /ɪnˈfɜːrmɪtiz/
plural of “infirmity” — the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
a boy or man
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
lurkverbUS /lɜːrk/
lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
mahoganynounUS /məˈhɑːɡəni/
wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for cabinetwork and furniture
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
snarenounUS /sner/
something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
subtleradjectiveUS /ˈsʌtələr/
comparative of “subtle” — difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
symmetrynounUS /ˈsɪmətri/
(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
trampledverbUS /ˈtræmpəld/
past form of “trample” — tread or stomp heavily or roughly
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
usefulnessnounUS /ˈjuːsfəlnəs/
the quality of being of practical use
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
precisely as stated
From this reading I might, indeed, have hoped that, after my accident--but see, my good lad, how pride may lurk, even in our very infirmities!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading "Even as a Curate, a certain harmless vanity was ever my besetting weakness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With ever-increasing pleasure, my eyes have gloried in their grain and gloss, in the symmetry of their curves, in the more than Chinese delicacy of their extremities, until gradually they have trampled upon my better self, they have run away with all my possibilities of moral usefulness!
but in spite of that
From this reading These artificial limbs have become a yet subtler snare to me than even those they replaced.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I had them constructed, as you see, of the best mahogany--to match the furniture in my dining-room.
