used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
acknowledgeverbUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒ/
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
AlliterationnounUS /əˈlɪtəreɪʃən/
use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
arrowsnounUS /ˈæroʊz/
plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
artfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːrtfəl/
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
Beppo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
ByronnounUS /ˈbaɪrən/
English romantic poet notorious for his rebellious and unconventional lifestyle (1788-1824)
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
CantonounUS /ˈkæntoʊ/
the highest part (usually the melody) in a piece of choral music
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
commencesverbUS /kəˈmensəz/
third-person singular of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
complainverbUS /kəmˈpleɪn/
express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
compositionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
concoctverbUS /kənˈkɑːkt/
make a concoction (of) by mixing
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
divertingadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrtɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
forthcomingadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/
at ease in talking to others
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
illustratesverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪts/
third-person singular of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
From this reading The artist says it illustrates the line: “Whacks to receive, and marble to retain.”
illustrationsnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/
plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The artist says it illustrates the line: “Whacks to receive, and marble to retain.”
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The artist says it illustrates the line: “Whacks to receive, and marble to retain.”
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 _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
Madeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading The artist says it illustrates the line: “Whacks to receive, and marble to retain.”
Marmaduke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
Marriott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
Mendoza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
Messrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
used to form the superlative
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
Muttonheadnoun
a stupid person; these words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
publishersnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃərz/
plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
QuartonounUS /ˈkwɔːrtoʊ/
the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper twice to form four leaves
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
quatrains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading The artist says it illustrates the line: “Whacks to receive, and marble to retain.”
referredverbUS /rəˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
requiresverbUS /riˈkwaɪərz/
third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
retainverbUS /rɪˈteɪn/
hold back within
From this reading The artist says it illustrates the line: “Whacks to receive, and marble to retain.”
rhymesternoun
a writer who composes rhymes; a maker of poor verses (usually used as terms of contempt for minor or inferior poets)
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading The artist says it illustrates the line: “Whacks to receive, and marble to retain.”
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
serenadenounUS /ˌserəˈneɪd/
a musical composition in several movements; has no fixed form
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
stanzanounUS /ˈstænzə/
a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
sungnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
required or under orders
From this reading This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott-- My Madeline!
targetnounUS /ˈtɑːrɡət/
a reference point to shoot at
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
precisely as stated
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
(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 Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
WhacksnounUS /wæks/
plural of “whack” — the sound made by a sharp swift blow
From this reading The artist says it illustrates the line: “Whacks to receive, and marble to retain.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
which person or people
From this reading Perhaps Messrs. Quarto, Canto, and Sons, the well known publishers, have some right to complain of the artist who sent in this as one of the illustrations for their forthcoming edition of _Byron_.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter.
xxxivadjective
being four more than thirty
From this reading _Beppo_, stanza xxxiv.] Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.”
