used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
ALLEGORIESnounUS /ˈæləɡɔːriz/
plural of “allegory” — a short moral story (often with animal characters)
From this reading FROM THE UNPUBLISHED “ALLEGORIES OF THE HEART.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
astrayadverbUS /əˈstreɪ/
away from the right path or direction
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this man, this class of men, is a hopeless puzzle.”
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading But this man, this class of men, is a hopeless puzzle.”
absence of light or illumination
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
extinctionnounUS /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/
no longer active; extinguished
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FROM THE UNPUBLISHED “ALLEGORIES OF THE HEART.”
giftedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪftəd/
endowed with talent or talents
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
glidesnounUS /ɡlaɪdz/
plural of “glide” — a vowellike sound that serves as a consonant
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
depressingly dark
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading FROM THE UNPUBLISHED “ALLEGORIES OF THE HEART.”
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Well, but propound him,” said the sculptor.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading But this man, this class of men, is a hopeless puzzle.”
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
insightnounUS /ˈɪnsaɪt/
clear or deep perception of a situation
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But this man, this class of men, is a hopeless puzzle.”
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But this man, this class of men, is a hopeless puzzle.”
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
the force of workers available
From this reading But this man, this class of men, is a hopeless puzzle.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
mysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FROM THE UNPUBLISHED “ALLEGORIES OF THE HEART.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
personagenoun
another word for person; a person not meriting identification
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
propoundverbUS /prəˈpaʊnd/
put forward, as of an idea
From this reading “Well, but propound him,” said the sculptor.
puzzleverbUS /ˈpʌzəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading But this man, this class of men, is a hopeless puzzle.”
Roderick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
Rosina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
sculptornounUS /ˈskʌlptər/
an artist who creates sculptures
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
summer-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FROM THE UNPUBLISHED “ALLEGORIES OF THE HEART.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this man, this class of men, is a hopeless puzzle.”
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
torchnounUS /tɔːrtʃ/
a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
unfoldingnounUS /ənˈfoʊldɪŋ/
a developmental process
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
UNPUBLISHEDadjectiveUS /ənˈpʌblɪʃt/
not published
From this reading FROM THE UNPUBLISHED “ALLEGORIES OF THE HEART.”
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well, but propound him,” said the sculptor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
which person or people
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “I have here attempted,” said Roderick, unfolding a few sheets of manuscript, as he sat with Rosina and the sculptor in the summer-house,—“I have attempted to seize hold of a personage who glides past me, occasionally, in my walk through life.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading My former sad experience, as you know, has gifted me with some degree of insight into the gloomy mysteries of the human heart, through which I have wandered like one astray in a dark cavern, with his torch fast flickering to extinction.
