used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
amenableadjectiveUS /əˈmenəbəl/
disposed or willing to conform
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Two blinding buffets met him at its threshold.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Two blinding buffets met him at its threshold.
brought into existence
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
buffetsnounUS /ˈbʌfəts/
plural of “buffet” — a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers
From this reading Two blinding buffets met him at its threshold.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
true confidential information
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
disillusionizing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
endurableadjective
capable of being borne though unpleasant
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
enshrinedverbUS /enˈʃraɪnd/
past form of “enshrine” — enclose in a shrine
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
enthusiasticadjectiveUS /ɪnˌθuːziˈæstɪk/
having or showing great excitement and interest
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
ethicaladjectiveUS /ˈeθɪkəl/
of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
set up or found
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
a young female
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
idealisticadjectiveUS /aɪˌdiːəˈlɪstɪk/
of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of the reality of ideas
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
ill-luck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Two blinding buffets met him at its threshold.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
jiltedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɪltɪd/
rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
lawsuitnounUS /ˈlɔːsuːt/
a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Two blinding buffets met him at its threshold.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
absolutely essential
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
Perior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
second-bestadjective
next to the best
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
standardadjectiveUS /ˈstændərd/
conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading Two blinding buffets met him at its threshold.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two blinding buffets met him at its threshold.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
unmanageableadjectiveUS /ənˈmænɪdʒəbəl/
difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
untamable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It is not necessary to go into the details of a life which had not spared these qualities nor improved while disillusionizing him.
which person or people
From this reading To a man who had expected less of life the circumstances might have been more amenable and far more endurable, but Perior had the ill-luck to be born with an unmanageable instinct for the best, with an untamable scorn for the second-best.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Michael Perior was an unfortunate man; unfortunate in his temperament, which was enthusiastic, sensitive, and idealistic; unfortunate in the circumstances with which that temperament found itself called upon to do battle.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading His father was ruined in a lawsuit, which by every ethical standard he should have won, and Perior was in consequence jilted by the girl whom he had enshrined in his heart as the perfect star of his existence.
