1814
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
APRIL-JUNE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
according with custom or propriety
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
an occurrence of something
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
absence of light or illumination
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəs/
having or expressing desire for something
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
exhibitverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/
show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
Godwin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
intercoursenounUS /ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
communication between individuals
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
luminarynounUS /ˈluːməneri/
a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
used to form the superlative
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
on one occasion
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
and nothing more
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
philosophernounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
a specialist in philosophy
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
privilegenounUS /ˈprɪvlədʒ/
a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
reverentialadjectiveUS /ˌrevərˈenʃəl/
feeling or manifesting veneration
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
ShelleynounUS /ˈʃeli/
English writer who created Frankenstein's monster and married Percy Bysshe Shelley (1797-1851)
From this reading APRIL-JUNE 1814 Although she had seen Shelley only once, Mary had heard a good deal about him.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
surroundsnounUS /sərˈaʊndz/
plural of “surround” — the area in which something exists or lives
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
universaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
precisely as stated
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading That such was not the case he had now learned for the first time, and the most ardent wish of his heart was to be admitted to the privilege of intercourse with one whom he regarded as "a luminary too bright for the darkness which surrounds him."
in the company of; together with
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading The writer had, it said, been under the impression that the great philosopher, the object of his reverential admiration, whom he now addressed, was one of the mighty dead.
a late time of life
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading More than two years before this time Godwin had received a letter from a stranger, a very young man, desirous of becoming acquainted with him.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If," he concluded, "desire for universal happiness has any claim upon your preference, that desire I can exhibit."
