used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.
(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 In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading In matter it should be moral and amusing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THACKERAY'S STYLE AND MANNER OF WORK.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
combineverbUS /ˈkɑːmbaɪn/
have or possess in combination
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
grammaticaladjectiveUS /ɡrəˈmætəkəl/
of or pertaining to grammar
From this reading A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In matter it should be moral and amusing.
lucidadjectiveUS /ˈluːsəd/
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
From this reading A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.
ludicrousadjectiveUS /ˈluːdəkrəs/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THACKERAY'S STYLE AND MANNER OF WORK.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading In matter it should be moral and amusing.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading In matter it should be moral and amusing.
narrationnounUS /neˈreɪʃən/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THACKERAY'S STYLE AND MANNER OF WORK.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
realisticadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk/
aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
recreateverbUS /ˈrekrieɪt/
give new life or energy to
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THACKERAY'S STYLE AND MANNER OF WORK.
sublimeadjectiveUS /səˈblaɪm/
inspiring awe
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
THACKERAY'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THACKERAY'S STYLE AND MANNER OF WORK.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THACKERAY'S STYLE AND MANNER OF WORK.
