adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
achievedverbUS /əˈtʃiːvd/
past form of “achieve” — to gain with effort
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
addedverbUS /ˈædəd/
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
afflatusnoun
a strong creative impulse; divine inspiration
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
apparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/
from appearances alone
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
artistsnounUS /ˈɑːrtɪsts/
plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
bidverbUS /bɪd/
propose a payment
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
cabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/
a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
charmingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɑːrmɪŋ/
pleasing or delighting
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
divineadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪn/
emanating from God
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
famenounUS /feɪm/
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
fellownounUS /ˈfeloʊ/
a boy or man
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
finishingnounUS /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/
a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
frequencynounUS /ˈfriːkwənsi/
the number of occurrences within a given time period
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
HnounUS /eɪtʃ/
a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
handedadjectiveUS /ˈhændəd/
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
hostnounUS /hoʊst/
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
masterpiecenounUS /ˈmæstərpiːs/
the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
mastersnounUS /ˈmæstərz/
United States poet (1869-1950)
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
mediocritynounUS /ˌmiːdiˈɑːkrəti/
ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
meditativeadjectiveUS /ˈmedəteɪtɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
obscuritynounUS /əbsˈkjʊrəti/
the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/
coated with paint
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
phenomenonnounUS /fəˈnɑːmənɑːn/
any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
picturenounUS /ˈpɪktʃər/
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
relapsedverbUS /riˈlæpst/
past form of “relapse” — deteriorate in health
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
showingnounUS /ˈʃoʊɪŋ/
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
spasmodicadjectiveUS /spæzˈmɔːdɪk/
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
touchedadjectiveUS /tʌtʃt/
having come into contact
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
