used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading I'm not sure that I agree that that's Hardy's philosophy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
AristophanesnounUS /ˌærəˈstɔːfəniz/
an ancient Greek dramatist remembered for his comedies (448-380 BC)
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
believesverbUS /bɪˈliːvz/
third-person singular of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
brittleadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪtəl/
having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
comicadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪk/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
criticsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪks/
plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
defensenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
depressingly dark
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
good-will
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
HardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
Hardy'snounUS /ˈhɑːrdiz/
possessive form of “hardy” — United States slapstick comedian who played the pompous and overbearing member of the Laurel and Hardy duo who made many films (1892-1957)
From this reading I'm not sure that I agree that that's Hardy's philosophy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
honestynounUS /ˈɑːnəsti/
the quality of being honest
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I'm not sure that I agree that that's Hardy's philosophy.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm not sure that I agree that that's Hardy's philosophy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
inferverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːr/
reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
and nothing more
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I'm not sure that I agree that that's Hardy's philosophy.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
coated with paint
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
go across or through
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
philosophynounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/
The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
regardsnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdz/
plural of “regard” — (usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
express in words
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
not in physical motion
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading I'm not sure that I agree that that's Hardy's philosophy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm not sure that I agree that that's Hardy's philosophy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His critics have assumed that from this they can infer his philosophy.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
TwainnounUS /tweɪn/
two items of the same kind
From this reading It's fair enough to say that Hardy's stories, and still more his poems, paint chiefly the gloomy and hopeless situations in life, just as Mark Twain and Aristophanes painted the comic ones.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
the act of using
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
precisely as stated
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading But Mark Twain was very far from thinking the world was a joke, and I doubt whether Hardy regards it at heart as so black.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading They say he believes that "sorrow is the rule and joy the exception," and that "good-will and courage and honesty are brittle weapons" for us to use in our defense as we pass through such a world.
