used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They are slow, stubborn, modest, shy, and used to the open.
artfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːrtfəl/
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
brooksnounUS /brʊks/
United States literary critic and historian (1886-1963)
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
characterizeverbUS /ˈkerəktəraɪz/
describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
doomedadjectiveUS /duːmd/
marked for certain death
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
empirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
endeavoredverbUS /ɪnˈdevərd/
past form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
fine-wrought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
a single distinct event
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading They are slow, stubborn, modest, shy, and used to the open.
used to form the superlative
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
novelsnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/
plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading They are slow, stubborn, modest, shy, and used to the open.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
regulateverbUS /ˈreɡjəleɪt/
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading They are slow, stubborn, modest, shy, and used to the open.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading They are slow, stubborn, modest, shy, and used to the open.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
express in speech
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
stubbornadjectiveUS /ˈstʌbərn/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading They are slow, stubborn, modest, shy, and used to the open.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
moving very fast
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Not for them are the narrow stage, the swift action, the fine-wrought chain of artful incident that characterize a modern romance.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading They are slow, stubborn, modest, shy, and used to the open.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
well-knownadjectiveUS /ˈwelˈnoʊn/
widely or fully known
From this reading Some of the people of these pages, when the author endeavored to regulate their conduct according to well-known rules of literary construction, declared themselves free and independent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
at the time that
From this reading in memory of summer days when we wandered far and sat down to rest by springs and brooks in the doomed empire of Strong and talked of saving it and of better times and knew not they were impossible.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When, urged by him, they tried to speak and act in the fashion of most novels, they laughed, and seemed to be ashamed of themselves, and with good reason.
