Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

a theatrical performer

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

a person who enjoys taking risks

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

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

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

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

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

French novelist; he portrays the complexity of 19th century French society (1799-1850)

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

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

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

serving to describe or inform or characterized by description

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

plural of “display” — something intended to communicate a particular impression

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

third-person singular of “encourage” — contribute to the progress or growth of

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

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 In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

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

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

a social unit living together

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

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

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

an established custom

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

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

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

pretentiously elegant

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

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

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

the commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

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

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

that cannot be entirely consumed or used up

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

witty language used to convey insults or scorn

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

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

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

social deportment

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

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

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

one who writes novels

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

the descendants of one individual

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

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

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

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

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

participate in games or sport

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

plural of “pose” — affected manners intended to impress others

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

by chance

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

boring verbosity

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

third-person singular of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

of or associated with a province

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

third-person singular of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

an exhibition of a representative selection of an artist's life work

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

express in words

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

full of seeds

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

exaggeratedly proper

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

plural of “stray” — an animal that has strayed (especially a domestic animal)

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

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

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

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

From this reading _Pendennis_ is in Thackeray's best style, as the novelist of manners.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In his habit of setting his portraits in a framework of family history (compare the Crawleys, the Newcomes, the Esmonds) he resembles, though with less prolixity, Balzac, and he displays much knowledge and observation of English provincial life.

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

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

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

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

which person or people

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Next follows, as is usual with our author, a short retrospective account of the people and places among whom the plot is laid, with a descriptive pedigree of his hero.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It opens, like _Vanity Fair_, with a short amusing scene that poses, as the French say, some leading actor in the play, and encourages the reader to go on.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading He is, we imagine, the first high-class writer who brought the Bohemian, possibly an importation from France, into the English novel; and the contrast between the seedy strolling adventurer and strait-laced respectability provides him with material for inexhaustible irony, with much good-natured sympathy for the waifs and strays.