used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
adaptationnounUS /ˌædəpˈteɪʃən/
a written work (as a novel) that has been recast in a new form
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
admirableadjectiveUS /ˈædmərəbəl/
deserving of the highest esteem or admiration
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
(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 He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
classicsnounUS /ˈklæsɪks/
study of the literary works of ancient Greece and Rome
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
rid of obstructions
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
devoteverbUS /dɪˈvoʊt/
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
enunciationnoun
the articulation of speech regarded from the point of view of its intelligibility to the audience
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
faultlessadjective
without fault or error
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
usually; as a rule
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
an established custom
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
hearersnounUS /ˈhiːrərz/
plural of “hearer” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
hear with intention
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
peculiaritiesnounUS /pɪˌkjuːliˈerətiz/
plural of “peculiarity” — an odd or unusual characteristic
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
PREFACEnounUS /ˈprefəs/
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
From this reading PREFACE.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
productionnounUS /prəˈdʌkʃən/
the act or process of producing something
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
productionsnounUS /prəˈdʌkʃənz/
plural of “production” — the act or process of producing something
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
pronounceverbUS /prəˈnaʊns/
speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
pupilnounUS /ˈpjuːpəl/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
unusual or striking
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
an educational institution
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
sixthadjectiveUS /sɪksθ/
coming next after the fifth and just before the seventh in position
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The habit should be cultivated of looking for and enjoying the admirable qualities of any literary production, and particularly of such productions as are generally recognized as the classics of our language.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
at the time that
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
which person or people
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
the words that are spoken
From this reading He should be able to pronounce at sight and without hesitation all new or unusual words; and when reading aloud, his tones should be so clear, his enunciation so faultless, and his manner so agreeable that his hearers shall listen with pleasure and shall have a ready understanding of whatever is being read.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading He is now prepared to devote more and more attention to literary criticism--that is, to the study of the peculiarities of style which distinguish any selection, the passages which are remarkable for their beauty, their truth, or their adaptation to the particular purpose for which they were written.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The pupil who is in his sixth year at school should be able to read quite well.
