Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

disposed to please

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

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

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

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

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

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

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

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

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

(American football) a successful forward pass in football

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

in accordance with convention or custom

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

formed or developed from something else; not original

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

a social unit living together

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

set up or found

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

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

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

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

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

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

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

plural of “incident” — a single distinct event

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

connect closely and often incriminatingly

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

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

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

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

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

by chance

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

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

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading PREFACE.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

plural of “record” — anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

witty language used to convey insults or scorn

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

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

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

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

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

past form of “view” — deem to be

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

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

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The plot is extremely slight, the incidents are few, and with the exception of those which involve the fate of Vivian, such as may be found in the records of ordinary life.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading If it be the good fortune of this work to possess any interest for the Novel reader, that interest, perhaps, will be but little derived from the customary elements of fiction.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Regarded as a Novel, this attempt is an experiment somewhat apart from the previous works of the author.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.

the third of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures

From this reading It is the first of his writings in which Humor has been employed, less for the purpose of satire than in illustration of amiable characters; it is the first, too, in which man has been viewed, less in his active relations with the world, than in his repose at his own hearth,--in a word, the greater part of the canvas has been devoted to the completion of a simple Family Picture.