used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
abnormallyadverbUS /æbˈnɔːrməli/
in an abnormal manner
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
how long something has existed
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
aloofadjectiveUS /əˈluːf/
remote in manner
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
appreciativeadjectiveUS /əˈpriːʃieɪtɪv/
feeling or expressive of gratitude
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
assemblynounUS /əˈsembli/
a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
cherishedadjectiveUS /ˈtʃerɪʃt/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
contemptuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtemptʃuːəs/
expressing extreme contempt
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
criticnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪk/
a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
dominantadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːmənənt/
exercising influence or control
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
divisible by two
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
facialnounUS /ˈfeɪʃəl/
cranial nerve that supplies facial muscles
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
gracileadjectiveUS /ˈɡræsəl/
slender and graceful
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
Lionel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
low-voiced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
luciditynounUS /luːˈsɪdɪti/
free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
the force of workers available
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
mouselikeadjective
of something having a drab pale brown color resembling a mouse
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
easily agitated
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
nooknounUS /nʊk/
a sheltered and secluded place
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
a brief written record
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
organizationnounUS /ˌɔːrɡənəˈzeɪʃən/
a group of people who work together
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
passionatelyadverbUS /ˈpæʃənətli/
with passion
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
by chance
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
physiquenounUS /fəˈziːk/
constitution of the human body
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
reticentadjectiveUS /ˈretɪsənt/
temperamentally disinclined to talk
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
secludedadjectiveUS /sɪˈkluːdɪd/
hidden from general view or use
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Quick and mouselike in his movements, reticent of speech and low-voiced, he looked like some old-fashioned child who had strayed by chance into an assembly of men.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/
being four more than twenty
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
twitchingnounUS /ˈtwɪtʃɪŋ/
a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
unfitadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪt/
below the required standards for a purpose
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
precisely as stated
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
which person or people
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
belonging to which person
From this reading The man was a scholar, a poet, and a critic, whose dominant note was gracile lucidity.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading For those who care at all passionately for the precious things of literature, the work of Lionel Johnson will always remain a cherished and secluded nook.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But a child could not have shown that inward smile of appreciative humour, a little aloof, a little contemptuous perhaps, that worked constantly around his mouth.
the act of creating written works
From this reading A friend writing of his personal appearance at the time of his death said, ‘Thin, pale, very delicate he looked, with a twitching of the facial muscles, which showed even at the age of twenty-four how unfit was his physique to support the strain of an abnormally nervous organization.
