Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

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

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading Where Arnold Jacks was in company, there could be no dullness.

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

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading Where Arnold Jacks was in company, there could be no dullness.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

past form of “care” — feel concern or interest

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

rid of obstructions

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Where Arnold Jacks was in company, there could be no dullness.

make more compact by or as if by pressing

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Where Arnold Jacks was in company, there could be no dullness.

having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

the quality of being slow to understand

From this reading Where Arnold Jacks was in company, there could be no dullness.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

with resolute determination

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

plural of “foible” — a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

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

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

relating to or associated with an empire

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

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

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

an occurrence of something

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

a game in which jackstones are thrown and picked up in various groups between bounces of a small rubber ball

From this reading Where Arnold Jacks was in company, there could be no dullness.

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

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

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

-ing form of “marry” — take in marriage

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

characteristic of maturity

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

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

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

the force of workers available

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

used to form the superlative

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

as might be expected

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

not any; not one

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

on one occasion

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

and nothing more

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

literature in metrical form

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

plural of “politician” — a leader engaged in civil administration

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

the second of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

ordinary writing as distinguished from verse

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

plural of “publicist” — someone who publicizes

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

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

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

given to or marked by sentiment or sentimentality

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

the quality of being significant

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Where Arnold Jacks was in company, there could be no dullness.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

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

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading His religion was the British Empire; his saints, the men who had made it; his prophets, the politicians and publicists who held most firmly the Imperial tone.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

inflected form of “undergo” — pass through

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

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

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

(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 Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

at the time that

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

in or at the place that

From this reading Where Arnold Jacks was in company, there could be no dullness.

which person or people

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Music was one of his foibles; he learnt an instrument with wonderful facility, and, up to a certain point, played well.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading For poetry, though as a rule he disguised the fact, he had a strong distaste; once, when aged about twenty, he startled his father by observing that "In Memoriam" seemed to him a shocking instance of wasted energy; he would undertake to compress the whole significance of each section, with its laborious rhymings, into two or three lines of good clear prose.

but in spite of that

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.

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

From this reading Naturally the young man had undergone no sentimental troubles; he had not yet talked of marrying, and cared only for the society of mature women who took common-sense views of life.