Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

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

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

a Hebrew shepherd and minor prophet

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

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

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

turned or twisted toward one side

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

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

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

past form of “buoy” — float on the surface of water

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

capability to perform or produce

From this reading The very capacity for good would go out of us.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

Fluent, persuasive, and graceful speaking or writing. (Sự hùng biện, tài ăn nói lưu loát.)

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

increased or intensified in value or beauty or quality

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The very capacity for good would go out of us.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The very capacity for good would go out of us.

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

characterized by intense emotion

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

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

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

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

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

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

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

immediately past

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

engage in

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

subject to death

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

used to form the superlative

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

eccentricity that is not easily explained

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

a person who delivers a speech or oration

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The very capacity for good would go out of us.

hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

plural of “period” — an amount of time

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

a human being

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

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

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

the innermost light-sensitive membrane covering the back wall of the eyeball; it is continuous with the optic nerve

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

increase the number of rotations per minute

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

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

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

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

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

the season of growth

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

express in words

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

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

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

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

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

causing a surge of emotion or excitement

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

the act of tickling

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

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

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

precisely as stated

From this reading The very capacity for good would go out of us.

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

From this reading It was happy for the Rev. Amos Barton that he did not, like us, overhear the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

which person or people

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

hairpiece covering the head and made of real or synthetic hair

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.

abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes

From this reading We are poor plants buoyed up by the air-vessels of our own conceit: alas for us, if we get a few pinches that empty us of that windy self-subsistence!

in the company of; together with

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Indeed, what mortal is there of us, who would find his satisfaction enhanced by an opportunity of comparing the picture he presents to himself of his own doings, with the picture they make on the mental retina of his neighbours?

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading For, tell the most impassioned orator, suddenly, that his wig is awry, or his shirt-lap hanging out, and that he is tickling people by the oddity of his person, instead of thrilling them by the energy of his periods, and you would infallibly dry up the spring of his eloquence.