aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
accuratelyadverbUS /ˈækjərətli/
with few mistakes
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both Poe and Whitman were Romanticists by temperament.
BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Both Poe and Whitman were Romanticists by temperament.
caughtverbUS /kɑːt/
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
comersnounUS /ˈkʌmərz/
plural of “comer” — someone with a promising future
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
currentnounUS /ˈkɜːrənt/
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
distinctiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋktɪv/
of a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
ebbverbUS /eb/
flow back or recede
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
egotismnounUS /ˈiːɡətɪzəm/
an exaggerated opinion of your own importance
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
egotists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
EnterverbUS /ˈentər/
to come or go into
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
EuropenounUS /ˈjʊrəp/
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
EuropeannounUS /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/
a native or inhabitant of Europe
From this reading Both shared in the tradition and influence of European Romanticism.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
extravagantadjectiveUS /ekˈstrævəɡənt/
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
geniusnounUS /ˈdʒiːnjəs/
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
influencenounUS /ˈɪnfluːəns/
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Both shared in the tradition and influence of European Romanticism.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
mainlyadverbUS /ˈmeɪnli/
for the most part
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
mediumnounUS /ˈmiːdiəm/
a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
morbidadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrbəd/
suggesting an unhealthy mental state
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
outsidersnounUS /aʊtˈsaɪdərz/
plural of “outsider” — someone who is excluded from or is not a member of a group
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
perceivedadjectiveUS /pərˈsiːvd/
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
periodicalsnounUS /ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkəlz/
plural of “periodical” — a publication that appears at fixed intervals
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
phasesnounUS /ˈfeɪzəz/
plural of “phase” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
PoenounUS /poʊ/
United States writer and poet (1809-1849)
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
qualitynounUS /ˈkwɑːləti/
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
quarrelingverbUS /ˈkwɑːrəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “quarrel” — have a disagreement over something
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
racenounUS /reɪs/
any competition
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
RomanticismnounUS /roʊˈmæntəsɪzəm/
impractical romantic ideals and attitudes
From this reading Both shared in the tradition and influence of European Romanticism.
Romanticists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both Poe and Whitman were Romanticists by temperament.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
second-hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading Both shared in the tradition and influence of European Romanticism.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
StatesnounUS /steɪts/
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading Both Poe and Whitman were Romanticists by temperament.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading Both shared in the tradition and influence of European Romanticism.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Both Poe and Whitman were Romanticists by temperament.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading But they were also late comers, and they were caught in the more morbid and extravagant phases of the great European movement while its current was beginning to ebb.
WhitmannounUS /ˈwɪtmən/
United States poet who celebrated the greatness of America (1819-1892)
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
winningadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnɪŋ/
having won
From this reading Poe and Whitman Enter now two egotists, who have little in common save their egotism, two outsiders who upset most of the conventional American rules for winning the literary race, two men of genius, in short, about whom we are still quarreling, and whose distinctive quality is more accurately perceived in Europe than it has ever been in the United States.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Their acquaintance with its literature was mainly at second-hand and through the medium of British and American periodicals.
