Chapter XX

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

From this reading A VILLAGE IAGO.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

having the benefit of careful prior consideration or counsel

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

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

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

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

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

plural of “aspirant” — an ambitious and aspiring young person

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

a race between candidates for elective office

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

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

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

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

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

in deplorable condition

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

of or relating to an article stating opinions or giving perspectives

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

provided or supplied or equipped with (especially as by inheritance or nature)

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

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

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

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

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

set up or found

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

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

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

the villain in William Shakespeare's tragedy who tricked Othello into murdering his wife

From this reading A VILLAGE IAGO.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

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

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

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

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

occurring by chance

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

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

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

to an ample degree or in an ample manner

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

a method of writing rapidly using an abbreviated symbolic system

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

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

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

the starting point for a new state or experience

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

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

From this reading Edward Clare came back to his native village a few days later, looking somewhat dilapidated by his campaign in the great metropolis.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

precisely as stated

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading A VILLAGE IAGO.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

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

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

at the time that

From this reading His verses, when he was lucky, had earned him something like five pounds a month; when luck was against him he had earned nothing.

which person or people

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

belonging to which person

From this reading A newspaper man, whose acquaintance he made at the Cheshire Cheese, had advised him to learn shorthand, and try his fortune as a reporter, working upwards from that platform to the editorial chair.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading He had found the gates of literature so beset with aspirants, many of them as richly endowed as himself, that the idea of pushing his way across the threshold seemed almost hopeless, indeed quite hopeless, for a young man who wanted to succeed in life without working very hard, or with at most a little spasmodic industry.