used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
acclaimverbUS /əˈkleɪm/
praise vociferously
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among the other reasons why the novel is both inartistic and impermanent is this—it is mere reporting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
for the reason that
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Among the other reasons why the novel is both inartistic and impermanent is this—it is mere reporting.
broaderadjectiveUS /ˈbrɔːdər/
comparative of “broad” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
a period of 100 years
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
competentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnt/
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
faultinessnoun
the state of being defective
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
faultyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːlti/
having a defect
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
flourishedverbUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃt/
past form of “flourish” — grow vigorously
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That would serve if it had style.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That would serve if it had style.
impermanentadjective
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading Among the other reasons why the novel is both inartistic and impermanent is this—it is mere reporting.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
inartisticadjective
lacking aesthetic sensibility
From this reading Among the other reasons why the novel is both inartistic and impermanent is this—it is mere reporting.
incalculableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkælkjələbəl/
not able to be computed or enumerated
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
judgesnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒɪz/
a book of the Old Testament that tells the history of Israel under the leaders known as judges
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Among the other reasons why the novel is both inartistic and impermanent is this—it is mere reporting.
multitudenounUS /ˈmʌltətuːd/
a large indefinite number
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
not any; not one
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
novelsnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/
plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
and nothing more
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Among the other reasons why the novel is both inartistic and impermanent is this—it is mere reporting.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
permanentadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrmənənt/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
positivelyadverbUS /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/
extremely
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Among the other reasons why the novel is both inartistic and impermanent is this—it is mere reporting.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
reportingnounUS /riˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
the news as presented by reporters for newspapers or radio or television
From this reading Among the other reasons why the novel is both inartistic and impermanent is this—it is mere reporting.
RichardsonnounUS /ˈrɪtʃərdsən/
United States architect (1838-1886)
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
express in words
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
sentencesnounUS /ˈsentənsəz/
plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading That would serve if it had style.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
not in physical motion
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
suspiciousadjectiveUS /səˈspɪʃəs/
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
ThackeraynounUS /ˈθækəri/
English writer (born in India) (1811-1863)
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Not only is the novel, for the reason given, and for others, a faulty form of art, but because of its faultiness it has no permanent place in literature.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Novels are still produced in suspicious abundance and read with fatal acclaim but the novel of to-day has no art broader and better than that of its individual sentences—the art of style.
communicated in words
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
belonging to which person
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Among the other reasons why the novel is both inartistic and impermanent is this—it is mere reporting.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That would serve if it had style.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading In England it flourished less than a century and a half, beginning with Richardson and ending with Thackeray, since whose death no novels, probably, have been written that are worth attention; though as to this, one can not positively say, for of the incalculable multitude written only a few have been read by competent judges, and of these judges few indeed have uttered judgment that is of record.
