Chapter XI · ’Varsity Literature

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

plural of “advertisement” — a public promotion of some product or service

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

in addition

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

a quantity of money

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

relating to or based on or involving comparison

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

a baby bed with sides and rockers

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

a vote to select the winner of a position or political office

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

an abstract part of something

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

unpleasantly stern

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

scrape or rub as if to relieve itching

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

possessive form of “jackson” — English film actress who later became a member of British Parliament (born in 1936)

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

plural of “pen” — a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

belonging to the present time

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Oxford may be the home of lost causes, but she is also the cradle for infant pens.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

be standing; be upright

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

a quantity that is more than what is appropriate

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Present-day ineptitude--Jackson’s _Oxford Journal_--Domestic intelligence--Election poems--Curious advertisements--Superabundance of St John’s editors--Terrae Filius.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

exact a tithe from

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

the body of faculty and students at a university

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Generations of pens splutter their first incoherencies behind the comparative shelter of the city walls through which the harsh criticism of maturer writers cannot penetrate.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.

which person or people

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

belonging to which person

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading The sister university can, of course, point to many sons whose names stand high in the literary firmament, but they do not amount to a tithe of the number of great writers who have passed through Oxford.

the act of creating written works

From this reading There is some indefinable element in the atmosphere of Oxford which has always excited an itch for writing.