used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
(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 The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
book-lover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
classicsnounUS /ˈklæsɪks/
study of the literary works of ancient Greece and Rome
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
competeverbUS /kəmˈpiːt/
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
discouragingadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɜːrədʒɪŋ/
depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
dislikenounUS /dɪˈslaɪk/
an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading Even minds of fine quality often find a welcome diversion in trivial reading.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
EliotnounUS /ˈeliət/
British poet (born in the United States) who won the Nobel prize for literature; his plays are outstanding examples of modern verse drama (1888-1965)
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
estheticadjectiveUS /esˈθetɪk/
concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
divisible by two
From this reading Even minds of fine quality often find a welcome diversion in trivial reading.
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 told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Even minds of fine quality often find a welcome diversion in trivial reading.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Even minds of fine quality often find a welcome diversion in trivial reading.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
librariansnounUS /laɪˈbreriːənz/
plural of “librarian” — a professional person trained in library science and engaged in library services
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
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 To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
and nothing more
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading Even minds of fine quality often find a welcome diversion in trivial reading.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
noveltynounUS /ˈnɑːvəlti/
originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
nowadaysnounUS /ˈnaʊədeɪz/
the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Even minds of fine quality often find a welcome diversion in trivial reading.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
and nothing more
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading Even minds of fine quality often find a welcome diversion in trivial reading.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
sellersnounUS /ˈselərz/
English comic actor (1925-1980)
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading To many readers of good average ability, neither the esthetic nor the purely intellectual makes a strong appeal.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
tendverbUS /tend/
have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
testimonynounUS /ˈtestəmoʊni/
a solemn statement made under oath
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
ThackeraynounUS /ˈθækəri/
English writer (born in India) (1811-1863)
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
traditionsnounUS /trəˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading Even minds of fine quality often find a welcome diversion in trivial reading.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading The interest of novelty, the dislike of mental effort, the temptation to read merely for a mild sensation,--all these undoubtedly tend to keep down the level of literary taste.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
accept gladly
From this reading Even minds of fine quality often find a welcome diversion in trivial reading.
which person or people
From this reading The testimony of librarians as to the kind of books people are reading nowadays is somewhat discouraging to the book-lover who has been brought up in the old traditions.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
year'snounUS /jɪrz/
possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading We are told that Scott and Thackeray and George Eliot cannot compete with the year's "best sellers," and that the old classics are read only by the few who have a cultivated taste and a trained intelligence.
