Chapter XIV

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

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

plural of “adjective” — a word that expresses an attribute of something

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

plural of “adverb” — the word class that qualifies verbs or clauses

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

of legislation

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

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

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

move towards

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

achieved or reached

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

a state of complete lack of some abstract property

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

enclosed in or set off by a border or box

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

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

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

reproduction of some unicellular organisms (such as yeasts) by growth and specialization followed by the separation by constriction of a part of the parent

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

possessive form of “community” — a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

deem to be

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

form or compose

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

a symptom of reduced quality or strength

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

yet to be or coming

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

in a grudging manner

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

having restricted mental or physical functioning as a consequence of injury or illness

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

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

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

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

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

a change for the better; progress in development

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

in an intermittent manner

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

held up in the air

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

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

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

discuss the terms of an arrangement

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

not any; not one

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

many times at short intervals

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

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

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

literature in metrical form

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

by chance

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

command against

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

the grammatical relation that exists when a word qualifies the meaning of the phrase

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

the process of generating offspring

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

similarity in appearance or external or superficial details

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

being one more than sixteen

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

in or at or to some place

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

past form of “surpass” — distinguish oneself

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

natural abilities or qualities

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)

From this reading Fourteen of his poems had been printed intermittently as “boxed” features on the front page of the _Daily Telegraph_.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

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

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

in the direction of

From this reading These qualifying adverbs and adjectives constitute an attempt at faithful reproduction of the community’s attitude toward budding talent.

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

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

literature in metrical form

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.

plural of “vista” — the visual percept of a region

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

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

From this reading The village, therefore, had been forced to admit—grudgingly to be sure, but nevertheless to admit—that if he kept it up long enough, and nothing stopped him, and the quality of his verse showed improvement instead of deterioration, and no one surpassed him, and the _Telegraph_ kept out of bankruptcy, and the Federal constitution wasn’t amended so as to prohibit poetry altogether—somewhere down long vistas of future years he might possibly be expected to approach a fair-to-middlin’ resemblance to a near-celebrity.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

a late time of life

From this reading CONSIDER THE WORM I By the time he had reached seventeen Nathan had attained what it too often requires discouraging years for older persons to negotiate.

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

From this reading He had lifted his handicapped, browbeaten young shoulders above the drab-colored dead level of village mediocrity.