AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
Amalfi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
APPEALverbUS /əˈpiːl/
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
AUTHORITYnounUS /əˈθɔːrəti/
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/
inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
cathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
certus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
decuno
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
deemedverbUS /diːmd/
past form of “deem” — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
directverbUS /dərˈekt/
command with authority
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
excellentadjectiveUS /ˈeksələnt/
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
faithnounUS /feɪθ/
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
foolnounUS /fuːl/
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
gravenadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪvən/
cut into a desired shape
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
happiestadjectiveUS /ˈhæpiəst/
superlative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
HereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
Hic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
homonounUS /ˈhoʊmoʊ/
someone who is sexually attracted to persons of the same sex
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
illadjectiveUS /ɪl/
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
inscriptionnounUS /ˌɪnˈskrɪpʃən/
letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
intus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
joyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
lieverbUS /laɪ/
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
MallardnounUS /ˈmælərd/
wild dabbling duck from which domestic ducks are descended; widely distributed
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
marblenounUS /ˈmɑːrbəl/
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
miserableadjectiveUS /ˈmɪzərəbəl/
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
needfuladjectiveUS /ˈniːdfəl/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
Octavius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
optumus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
perchanceadverbUS /pərˈtʃæns/
through chance
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
Publius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
recumbo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
restedadjectiveUS /ˈrestəd/
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
RossnounUS /rɑːs/
Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
Rufus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
sarcophagusnounUS /sɑːrˈkɑːfəɡəs/
a stone coffin (usually bearing sculpture or inscriptions)
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
sinnernounUS /ˈsɪnər/
a person who sins (without repenting)
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
spentadjectiveUS /spent/
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
sufferedverbUS /ˈsʌfərd/
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
tasknounUS /tæsk/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mallard stood reading this inscription, graven on an ancient sarcophagus preserved in the cathedral of Amalfi.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
UnbornadjectiveUS /ˈʌnˈbɔːrn/
not yet brought into existence
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/
not known
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
verus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPEAL TO AUTHORITY "Hic intus homo verus certus optumus recumbo, Publius Octavius Rufus, decuno."
virtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/
plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A fool, probably, that excellent Rufus--he said to himself,--but what a happy fool!
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
whereby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading "Here lie I, Ross Mallard; who can say no good of myself, yet have as little right to say ill; who had no faith whereby to direct my steps, yet often felt that some such was needful; who spent all my strength on a task which I knew to be vain; who suffered much and joyed rarely; whose happiest day was his last."
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Unborn as yet, or to him unknown, the faith that would have bidden him write himself a miserable sinner; what he deemed himself in life, what perchance his friends and neighbours deemed him, why not declare it upon the marble when he rested from all his virtues?
