used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
Allington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
apprehendingverbUS /ˌæprɪˈhendɪŋ/
-ing form of “apprehend” — get the meaning of something
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
astoundingadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
authorsnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
BRET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
consistencynounUS /kənˈsɪstənsi/
the property of holding together and retaining its shape
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
createverbUS /kriˈeɪt/
make or cause to be or to become
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
creativeadjectiveUS /kriˈeɪtɪv/
having the ability or power to create
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
Crosby'snounUS /ˈkrɔːzbiz/
possessive form of “crosby” — United States singer and film actor (1903-1977)
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
depictsverbUS /dɪˈpɪkts/
third-person singular of “depict” — show in, or as in, a picture
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
give a description of
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
developverbUS /dɪˈveləp/
make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
disintegrationnounUS /dɪˌsɪntəˈɡreɪʃən/
in a decomposed state
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
divisible by two
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
exigenciesnounUS /ˌekˈsɪdʒənsiz/
plural of “exigency” — a pressing or urgent situation
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
facultynounUS /ˈfækəlti/
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
FICTIONnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
HARTEnounUS /hɑːrt/
United States writer noted for his stories about life during the California gold rush (1836-1902)
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
Harte's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
heroesnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
heroinesnounUS /ˈheroʊənz/
plural of “heroine” — the main good female character in a work of fiction
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
imaginingverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənɪŋ/
-ing form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
influencesnounUS /ˈɪnfluːənsɪz/
plural of “influence” — a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
mainlyadverbUS /ˈmeɪnli/
for the most part
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
masterlyadjectiveUS /ˈmæstərli/
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
perceptionnounUS /pərˈsepʃən/
the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
portrayedadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtreɪd/
represented graphically by sketch or design or lines
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
on the contrary
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
retainverbUS /rɪˈteɪn/
hold back within
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
shrednounUS /ʃred/
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
spinverbUS /spɪn/
revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
subjectedverbUS /səbˈdʒektɪd/
past form of “subject” — cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
Trollope's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a masterly example of this in Trollope's "Small House at Allington," where he depicts the slow, astounding, and yet perfectly natural disintegration of Crosby's moral character.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
webnounUS /web/
an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
in or at the place that
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
which person or people
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
woofnounUS /wuːf/
the yarn woven across the warp yarn in weaving
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Even these authors do not create their heroes and heroines quite out of whole cloth,--they have a shred or two to begin with; but their work is mainly the result of creation rather than perception.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading BRET HARTE AS A WRITER OF FICTION Bret Harte's faculty was not so much that of imagining as of apprehending human character.
writersnounUS /ˈraɪtərz/
plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Some writers of fiction, those who have the highest form of creative imagination, are able from their own minds to spin the web and woof of the characters that they describe; and it makes small difference where they live or what literary material lies about them.
an affirmative
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
but in spite of that
From this reading The test of creative imagination is that the characters portrayed by it are subjected to various exigencies and influences: they grow, develop, yes, even change, and yet retain their consistency.
