used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
AbbeynounUS /ˈæbi/
a church associated with a monastery or convent
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
Abington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
anachronismnounUS /əˈnækrənɪzəm/
something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
apologynounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiː/
an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
applyverbUS /əˈplaɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
authorshipnounUS /ˈɔːθərʃɪp/
the act of creating written works
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
criticismsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz/
plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
currentsnounUS /ˈkɜːrənts/
plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
dealingnounUS /ˈdiːlɪŋ/
method or manner of conduct in relation to others
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
dealsnounUS /diːlz/
plural of “deal” — a particular instance of buying or selling
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
faultsnounUS /fɔːlts/
plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
minoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps it is.
publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/
a copy of a printed work offered for distribution
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
referverbUS /rəˈfɜːr/
make reference to
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading The criticisms to which I refer have to do, not with faults of authorship, to which it would not be becoming to reply, but with matters for which an apology, or at least an explanation, may be offered.
replyingverbUS /rɪˈplaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
Identical; not different.
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading The first has been that in such times as these a novel dealing with minor currents of life as they existed before the war is something of an anachronism.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This novel, though it is complete in itself, deals with the same characters as "Abington Abbey."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Its publication gives me the opportunity of replying to some criticisms of that novel, which would apply equally to this one.
