used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
(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 This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
arrogancenounUS /ˈerəɡəns/
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
BerlinnounUS /bərˈlɪn/
capital of Germany located in eastern Germany
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
brisklyadverbUS /ˈbrɪskli/
in a brisk manner
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
clergynounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒi/
in Christianity, clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity)
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
drowsyadjectiveUS /ˈdraʊzi/
half asleep
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
drumnounUS /drʌm/
a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
eldersnounUS /ˈeldərz/
plural of “elder” — a person who is older than you are
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
essentiallyadverbUS /eˈsenʃəli/
in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
apart from; not including
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
excessnounUS /ˈekses/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
a person of German nationality
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
the act of departing
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
cause to move by striking
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
hostilitiesnounUS /hɑːˈstɪlətiz/
fighting; acts of overt warfare
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
imperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
a particular point in time
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
not any; not one
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
outbreaknounUS /ˈaʊtbreɪk/
a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
ParnassusnounUS /ˌpɑːrˈnæsəs/
(Greek mythology) a mountain in central Greece where (according to Greek mythology) the Muses lived; known as the mythological home of music and poetry
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
pensiveadjectiveUS /ˈpensɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
pietynounUS /ˈpaɪəti/
righteousness by virtue of being pious
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
literature in metrical form
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
prosperitynounUS /prɑːˈsperəti/
an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
pruning-hooks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
Identical; not different.
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
scabbards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
shepherdsnounUS /ˈʃepərdz/
plural of “shepherd” — a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
stavesnounUS /steɪvz/
plural of “stave” — (music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
swordsnounUS /sɔːrdz/
plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
TeutonicadjectiveUS /tuːˈtɔːnɪk/
of or pertaining to the ancient Teutons or their languages
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
in the direction of
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
a just detectable amount
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading These English shepherds might hit at their elders with their staves, but they had turned their swords into pruning-hooks and had no scabbards to rattle.
unaggressiveadjective
not aggressive; not given to fighting or assertiveness
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
literature in metrical form
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
versifiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
vociferousadjectiveUS /voʊˈsɪfərəs/
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading This is a point which might have attracted notice, if we had not all been too drowsy in the lap of our imperial prosperity to observe the signs of the times in Berlin.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why did no one call our attention to the beating of the big drum which was going on so briskly on the Teutonic Parnassus?
in the company of; together with
From this reading The general tone of the latest poetry, up to the moment of the outbreak of hostilities, was pensive, instinct with natural piety, given somewhat in excess to description of landscape, tender in feeling, essentially unaggressive except towards the clergy and towards other versifiers of an earlier generation.
a late time of life
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading There was absolutely not a trace in any one of the young poets of that arrogance and vociferous defiance which marked German verse during the same years.
