adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
apartmentnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənt/
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
aroseverbUS /ərˈoʊz/
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
ascertainverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪn/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
beatverbUS /biːt/
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
Carathis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
commandedverbUS /kəˈmændɪd/
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
conferverbUS /kənˈfɜːr/
have a conference in order to talk something over
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
counselnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/
a lawyer who pleads cases in court
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
dazzleverbUS /ˈdæzəl/
to cause someone to lose clear vision, especially from intense light
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
decipherverbUS /dɪˈsaɪfər/
convert code into ordinary language
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
disappointmentnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
earnestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrnɪst/
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
easeverbUS /iːz/
move gently or carefully
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
glassnounUS /ɡlæs/
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
gratifiedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪd/
having received what was desired
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
greatnessnounUS /ˈɡreɪtnəs/
the property possessed by something or someone of outstanding importance or eminence
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
of great significance or value
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
inscriptionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈskrɪpʃənz/
plural of “inscription” — letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
instantlyadverbUS /ˈɪnstəntli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
interpretverbUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrprət/
make sense of; assign a meaning to
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
IssueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
languagesnounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒəz/
plural of “language” — a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
learnverbUS /lɜːrn/
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
nailsnounUS /neɪlz/
plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
nugatoryadjectiveUS /ˈnuːɡɑːtɔːri/
of no real value
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
patiencenounUS /ˈpeɪʃəns/
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
pedantnounUS /ˈpedənt/
a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
poringverbUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “pore” — direct one's attention on something
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
proclamationnounUS /ˌprɑːkləˈmeɪʃən/
a formal public statement
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
reiteratedverbUS /riˈɪtəreɪtɪd/
past form of “reiterate” — to say, state, or perform again
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
rewardsnounUS /rɪˈwɔːrdz/
plural of “reward” — a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
sabresnounUS /ˈseɪbərz/
plural of “sabre” — a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
sciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
triflenounUS /ˈtraɪfəl/
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
undoneadjectiveUS /ənˈdʌn/
not done
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
unluckyadjectiveUS /ənˈlʌki/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
Vathek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The sabres he commanded to be instantly brought, and poring upon them through a green glass, that their glittering might not dazzle, he set himself in earnest to decipher the inscriptions; but his reiterated attempts were all of them nugatory; in vain did he beat his head and bite his nails, not a letter of the whole was he able to ascertain.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So unlucky a disappointment would have undone him again had not Carathis by good fortune entered the apartment.
yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/
past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of
From this reading Vathek yielded to her counsel as well as he could, and arose in the morning with a mind more at ease.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Have patience, son!” said she; “you certainly are possessed of every important science, but the knowledge of languages is a trifle at best, and the accomplishment of none but a pedant.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Issue forth a proclamation that you will confer such rewards as become your greatness upon any one that shall interpret what you do not understand, and what it is beneath you to learn; you will soon find your curiosity gratified.”
