used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
how long something has existed
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
(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 Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
any thing at all
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
appropriatesverbUS /əˈproʊprieɪts/
third-person singular of “appropriate” — give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Mrs. Malcomson had written a book.
Brimston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
criticsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪks/
plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
delusionnounUS /dɪˈluːʒən/
(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
enlivenedadjectiveUS /enˈlaɪvənd/
made sprightly or cheerful
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
flatters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
GuthrienounUS /ˈɡʌθri/
United States folk singer and songwriter (1912-1967)
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Malcomson had written a book.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
horridadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrəd/
exceedingly bad
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
Malcomson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Malcomson had written a book.
MaltanounUS /ˈmɔːltə/
a republic on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1964
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
joined in matrimony
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
and nothing more
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
an amount of time
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
publishingnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/
the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
reproducernoun
an audio system that can reproduce and amplify signals to produce sound
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
relieve from
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
a person, without saying who
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
in the near future
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
verilyadverb
in truth; certainly
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
which person or people
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Blessed is the man who never flatters himself with the delusion that he can do anything original; for, verily, he shall not be disappointed.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Malta was enlivened that winter by a joke which Mrs. Guthrie Brimston made without intending it.
world'snounUS /wɜːrldz/
possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Ideas cease to belong to an author as soon as they are made public; if they are new at all somebody else appropriates them; and if they are old, as alas! most of them must be at this period of the world's progress, the mistaken reproducer is relieved of the horrid responsibility by kindly critics promptly.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Mrs. Malcomson had written a book.
a late time of life
From this reading She was thirty years of age, and had been married to a military man for ten, and in that time she had seen some things which had made a painful impression upon her, and suggested ideas that were only to be got rid of by publishing them.
