adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
amateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading It bears evident traces of the hand of an amateur.
amateursnounUS /ˈæmətɜːrz/
plural of “amateur” — someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading How is it that amateurs invariably take better photographs than professionals?
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It bears evident traces of the hand of an amateur.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading It bears evident traces of the hand of an amateur.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading How is it that amateurs invariably take better photographs than professionals?
chaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
evidentadjectiveUS /ˈevədənt/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It bears evident traces of the hand of an amateur.
extremeadjectiveUS /ekˈstriːm/
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
fleecyadjectiveUS /ˈfliːsi/
(of fabrics) having soft nap produced by brushing
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It bears evident traces of the hand of an amateur.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How is it that amateurs invariably take better photographs than professionals?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading How is it that amateurs invariably take better photographs than professionals?
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How is it that amateurs invariably take better photographs than professionals?
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It bears evident traces of the hand of an amateur.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I must qualify invariably.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
negativesnounUS /ˈneɡətɪvz/
plural of “negative” — a reply of denial
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
perceiveverbUS /pərˈsiːv/
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
photographverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræf/
record on photographic film
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
photographsnounUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræfs/
plural of “photograph” — a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format
From this reading How is it that amateurs invariably take better photographs than professionals?
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
portraitnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrət/
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
professionalsnounUS /prəˈfeʃənəlz/
plural of “professional” — a person engaged in one of the learned professions
From this reading How is it that amateurs invariably take better photographs than professionals?
provincenounUS /ˈprɑːvəns/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
qualifyverbUS /ˈkwɑːləfaɪ/
prove capable or fit; meet requirements
From this reading I must qualify invariably.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
representingverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “represent” — take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
saluteverbUS /səˈluːt/
propose a toast to
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
shownverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
superioradjectiveUS /suːˈpɪriər/
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
supposingverbUS /səˈpoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “suppose” — express a supposition
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading How is it that amateurs invariably take better photographs than professionals?
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading How is it that amateurs invariably take better photographs than professionals?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading It bears evident traces of the hand of an amateur.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading In the first place, I have had the extreme satisfaction to be shown that photograph of your mother.
yourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading My own negatives have always represented a province of chaos and old night in which you might dimly perceive fleecy spots of twilight, representing nothing; so that, if I am right in supposing the portrait of your mother to be yours, I must salute you as my superior.
