used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
how long something has existed
From this reading He felt that he was doing little things in a little age.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
next to; at the side of
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He was diffident both for his times and for himself.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
diffidentadjective
showing modest reserve
From this reading He was diffident both for his times and for himself.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading He felt that he was doing little things in a little age.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading To me it seems that he was sincere enough.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that he was doing little things in a little age.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was diffident both for his times and for himself.
usually; as a rule
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
greatnessnounUS /ˈɡreɪtnəs/
the property possessed by something or someone of outstanding importance or eminence
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To me it seems that he was sincere enough.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
without good reason
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He felt that he was doing little things in a little age.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To me it seems that he was sincere enough.
and nothing more
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
monumentsnounUS /ˈmɑːnjəmənts/
plural of “monument” — a structure erected to commemorate persons or events
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
posturingnounUS /ˈpɑːstʃərɪŋ/
adopting a vain conceited posture
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
realistnounUS /ˈriːəlɪst/
a philosopher who believes that universals are real and exist independently of anyone thinking of them
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
reverenceverbUS /ˈrevərəns/
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To me it seems that he was sincere enough.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
sincereadjectiveUS /sɪnˈsɪr/
open and genuine; not deceitful
From this reading To me it seems that he was sincere enough.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He felt that he was doing little things in a little age.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He was diffident both for his times and for himself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To me it seems that he was sincere enough.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
triflesnounUS /ˈtraɪfəlz/
plural of “trifle” — 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 He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
WalpolenounUS /ˈwɔːlpoʊl/
English writer and historian; son of Sir Robert Walpole (1717-1797)
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is generally assumed that, in speaking lightly of himself, Walpole was merely posturing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.
writingsnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋz/
the third of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures
From this reading He had a sense of greatness in literature, as is shown by his reverence of Shakespeare, and he was too much of a realist not to see that his own writings at their best were trifles beside the monuments of the poets.