used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
arduousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdʒuːəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
contradictoryadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪktəri/
of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true and both cannot be false
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
dismayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmeɪd/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
Durtal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
emblemsnounUS /ˈembləmz/
plural of “emblem” — special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
faunanounUS /ˈfɔːnə/
all the animal life in a particular region or period
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
a person of German nationality
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
harnessedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrnəst/
brought under control and put to use
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
investigatingnounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtɪŋ/
the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
lengthyadjectiveUS /ˈleŋθi/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
menagerienounUS /məˈnædʒəri/
a collection of live animals for study or display
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
muddlenounUS /ˈmʌdəl/
a confused multitude of things
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
neweradjectiveUS /ˈnuːər/
comparative of “new” — not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
PaintersnounUS /ˈpeɪntərz/
plural of “painter” — an artist who paints
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
PrimitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
the act of searching for something
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
an instance of visual perception
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
symbolicaladjective
relating to or using or proceeding by means of symbols
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
carry out
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "I must take things in their order," said he to himself, "if indeed any principle of selection is possible in such confusion."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But he now sat dismayed before his books and notes, seeking a clue to guide him through the mass of contradictory evidence that lay before him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had harnessed himself that morning to the task of investigating the symbolical fauna of the Middle Ages.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What a fearful muddle, what a sea of ink is this menagerie of good and evil emblems!" exclaimed Durtal, laying down his pen.
the act of creating written works
From this reading At first sight the subject had struck him as newer and less arduous, and certainly as less lengthy, than the article he had thought of writing on the Primitive German Painters.
