Chapter I

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

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 Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

how long something has existed

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

possessive form of “art” — the products of human creativity; works of art collectively

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

relating to or characteristic of art or artists

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

past form of “blossom” — produce or yield flowers

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

plural of “cab” — a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

English playwright remembered for his comedies (1670-1729)

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

characterized by great determination

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

coming next after the seventeenth in position

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

rules governing socially acceptable behavior

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

a two-wheeled horse-drawn covered carriage with the driver's seat above and behind the passengers

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

promise of reimbursement in the case of loss; paid to people or companies so concerned about hazards that they have made prepayments to an insurance company

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

and nothing more

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

immediately past

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

a record in which commercial accounts are recorded

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

a clear appearance

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

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 It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

the force of workers available

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

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 It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

the decade from 1890 to 1899

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

not any; not one

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

in an open way

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

-ing form of “proclaim” — declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

on the contrary

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

Identical; not different.

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

in a serious manner

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

a simple seat without a back or arms

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

plural of “tendency” — an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

a person who translates written messages from one language to another

From this reading Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

a British abbreviation of “university”; usually refers to Oxford University or Cambridge University

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

of or relating to Queen Victoria of Great Britain or to the age in which she ruled

From this reading So in the last age of hansom cabs and dying Victorian etiquette, these young men determined that the rather dull art and literary world of London should flower like another Paris.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

Irish writer and wit (1854-1900)

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The day Beardsley left his stool and ledger in a London insurance office and betook himself seriously to the illustration of that strange comic world of Congreve, a new manifestation of English art blossomed.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It had, no doubt, been a long time germinating in the minds of many men, and there had been numerous signs pointing the way on which the artistic tendencies of the nineties would travel.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For example, just about the same time as Beardsley’s eighteenth year, a coterie of young men, fresh from the Varsity in many cases, made their appearance in London openly proclaiming the doctrine of art for art’s sake under the ægis of Oscar Wilde.