Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

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

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

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

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

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

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

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

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

a period of 100 years

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

possessive form of “chaucer” — English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

difficult to analyze or understand

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

without stop or interruption

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

plural of “department” — a specialized division of a large organization

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

controlled or ruled by superior authority or power

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

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

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

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

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

at any time

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

past form of “exercise” — put to use

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

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

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

planned and made or fashioned artistically

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

coming next after the fourteenth and just before the sixteenth in position

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

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

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

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

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

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

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

English writer noted for his elaborate style (1554-1606)

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

not any; not one

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

a brief written record

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

(logic) a statement that contradicts itself

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

past form of “postpone” — hold back to a later time

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

ordinary writing as distinguished from verse

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

in the recent past

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

a relationship between two lovers

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

express in words

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

coming next after the fifteenth in position

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

moving very fast

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

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 The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

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

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

in or at that place or location

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

up to a particular time

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

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

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner

From this reading By "modern" is here meant the kind of society which is fairly cultivated, fairly comfortable, fairly complicated with classes not very sharply separated from each other, not dominated by any very high ideals, tolerably corrupt, and sufficiently business-like.

(psychoanalysis) the process whereby emotions are passed on or displaced from one person to another; during psychoanalysis the displacement of feelings toward others (usually the parents) is onto the analyst

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

an obvious truth

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

not encouraging or approving or pleasing

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

literature in metrical form

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

precisely as stated

From this reading FROM LYLY TO SWIFT During the dying-off of romance proper, or its transference from verse to prose in the late fifteenth and earlier sixteenth century, there is not very much to note about prose fiction in England.

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

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

(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 But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But, as the conditions of modern literature fashioned themselves, a very great influence in this as in other departments was no doubt exercised with us by Italian, as well as some by Spanish in a way which may be postponed for a little.

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

From this reading It is a hackneyed truism that Italian society was very much more modern than any other in Europe at this time--in fact it would not be a mere paradox to say that it was, and continued to be till the later sixteenth, much more modern than it has ever been since--or till very recently.

but in spite of that

From this reading The Italian prose tale had begun to exercise that influence as early as Chaucer's time: but circumstances and atmosphere were as yet unfavourable for its growth.