used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The rhyme is a fault.
affectverbUS /əˈfekt/
have an effect upon
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
antithesisnounUS /ænˈtɪθəsəs/
exact opposite
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
(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 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
blamelessadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪmləs/
free of guilt; not subject to blame
From this reading However, with these few exceptions, this Letter is a blameless composition.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
compositionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading However, with these few exceptions, this Letter is a blameless composition.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
discomposeverb
cause to lose one's composure
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
exceptionsnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃənz/
plural of “exception” — a deliberate act of omission
From this reading However, with these few exceptions, this Letter is a blameless composition.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading The rhyme is a fault.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading However, with these few exceptions, this Letter is a blameless composition.
fitternounUS /ˈfɪtər/
someone who fits a garment to a particular person
From this reading 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, with these few exceptions, this Letter is a blameless composition.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
Ib
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The rhyme is a fault.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading However, with these few exceptions, this Letter is a blameless composition.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
by chance
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
rhymenounUS /raɪm/
correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)
From this reading The rhyme is a fault.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rhyme is a fault.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading However, with these few exceptions, this Letter is a blameless composition.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
tranquillitynounUS /træŋˈkwɪlɪti/
an untroubled state; free from disturbances
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
verbaladjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrbəl/
communicated in the form of words
From this reading A false antithesis, a mere verbal balance; there are far, far too many of these.
in the company of; together with
From this reading However, with these few exceptions, this Letter is a blameless composition.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading 'Fancy' had been better; though but for the rhyme, imagination is the fitter word.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading (Ib.) Such a question might perhaps discompose the gravity of his muscles, but I believe it would little affect the tranquillity of his conscience.
