used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
(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 For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The prompting was not altogether unselfish.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
arguingnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjuːɪŋ/
a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
bannedadjectiveUS /bænd/
forbidden by law
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
Bartrow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
comedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
compassionateverbUS /kəmˈpæʃənət/
share the suffering of
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
craftsmennounUS /ˈkræftsmen/
plural of “craftsman” — a professional whose work is consistently of high quality
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
crumb-gatherer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
defensibleadjectiveUS /dɪˈfensəbəl/
capable of being defended
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
DenvernounUS /ˈdenvər/
the state capital and largest city of Colorado; located in central Colorado on the South Platte river
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
discernverbUS /dɪˈsɜːrn/
detect with the senses
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
doomedadjectiveUS /duːmd/
marked for certain death
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
death of a person
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
guildnounUS /ɡɪld/
a formal association of people with similar interests
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
hermitnounUS /ˈhɜːrmət/
one retired from society for religious reasons
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
incurableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkjʊrəbəl/
incapable of being cured
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
LANSDALE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
maladynounUS /ˈmælədi/
any unwholesome or desperate condition
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
masksnounUS /mæsks/
plural of “mask” — a covering to disguise or conceal the face
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
moietynounUS /ˈmɔɪətiː/
one of two (approximately) equal parts
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The prompting was not altogether unselfish.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
onlookernounUS /ˈɔːnlʊkər/
someone who looks on
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
persuadedverbUS /pərˈsweɪdɪd/
past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
pitifullyadverbUS /ˈpɪtɪfəli/
to a pitiful degree
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
poverty-smitten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
promptingnounUS /ˈprɑːmptɪŋ/
persuasion formulated as a suggestion
From this reading The prompting was not altogether unselfish.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
reluctancenounUS /rɪˈlʌktəns/
(physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
seer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In common with other craftsmen of his guild, Lansdale was blessed, or banned, with a moiety of the seer's gift.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
shamnounUS /ʃæm/
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
stage-properties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
starvelingnoun
someone who is starving (or being starved)
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
trappingsnounUS /ˈtræpɪŋz/
(usually plural) accessory wearing apparel
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
unchastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
unselfishadjective
disregarding your own advantages and welfare over those of others
From this reading The prompting was not altogether unselfish.
urbanadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrbən/
relating to or concerned with a city or densely populated area
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For what he persuaded himself were good and defensible reasons, he had lived the life of an urban hermit in Denver, arguing that a poverty-smitten crumb-gatherer with one foot in the grave might properly refuse to be other than an onlooker in any scene of the human comedy.
which person or people
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
world-comedy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For him, as for all who can discern the masks and trappings and the sham stage-properties, the world-comedy had become pitifully tragic; and he was by nature compassionate and sympathetic.
but in spite of that
From this reading ROBERT LANSDALE, literary starveling and doomed victim of an incurable malady, was yet sufficiently unchastened to read Bartrow's telegram with the nerves of reluctance sharp set.
