used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
in addition
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
for the reason that
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
CarlylenounUS /ˈkɑːrlaɪl/
Scottish historian who wrote about the French Revolution (1795-1881)
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
corrosiveadjectiveUS /kərˈoʊsɪv/
of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
CreatornounUS /kriˈeɪtər/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
cynicnounUS /ˈsɪnɪk/
someone who is critical of the motives of others
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
distrustfuladjectiveUS /dɪˈstrʌstfəl/
having or showing distrust
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
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 Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
intense or sharp
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
humornounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
humoristnounUS /ˈhjuːmərəst/
someone who acts speaks or writes in an amusing way
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
levitynounUS /ˈlevɪti/
feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
not any; not one
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
recoilverbUS /riˈkɔɪl/
draw back, as with fear or pain
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
restsnounUS /rests/
plural of “rest” — something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
move upward
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
sarcasmnounUS /ˈsɑːrkæzəm/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
satirenounUS /ˈsætaɪər/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
express in words
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
scepticnounUS /ˈskeptɪk/
someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
scornsnounUS /skɔːrnz/
plural of “scorn” — lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
selfishadjectiveUS /ˈselfɪʃ/
concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
sensibilitynounUS /ˌsensɪˈbɪlɪti/
mental responsiveness and awareness
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
sinceritynounUS /sɪnˈserəti/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
snobnounUS /snɑːb/
a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
moving very fast
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
teachernounUS /ˈtiːtʃər/
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
ThackeraynounUS /ˈθækəri/
English writer (born in India) (1811-1863)
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
truestadjectiveUS /ˈtruːɪst/
superlative of “true” — consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading But humor of the truest quality always rests on a foundation of belief in something better than it sees, and its laugh is a sad one at the awkward contrast between man as he is and man as he might be, between the real snob and the ideal image of his Creator.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
warmestadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrməst/
superlative of “warm” — having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading With all his seeming levity, Thackeray used to say, with the warmest sincerity, that Carlyle was his master and teacher.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Swift is our true English cynic, with his corrosive sarcasm; the satire of Thackeray is the recoil of an exquisite sensibility from the harsh touch of life.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Thackeray was not a cynic, for the simple reason that he was a humorist, and could not have been one if he would.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Your true cynic is a sceptic also; he is distrustful by nature, his laugh is a bark of selfish suspicion, and he scorns man, not because he has fallen below himself, but because he can rise no higher.
