Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Great anxiety is felt in many quarters about the modern novel.

how long something has existed

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

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

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading Great anxiety is felt in many quarters about the modern novel.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

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

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

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

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

plural of “aspect” — a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

disposed to attack

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

continuing in time or space without interruption

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

bestow a quality on

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

the human act of creating

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

attempting to or designed to prevent an opponent from winning or scoring

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Great anxiety is felt in many quarters about the modern novel.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Great anxiety is felt in many quarters about the modern novel.

an established custom

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

excessively quick

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

consider or render as ideal

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

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

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

lacking sincerity

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Great anxiety is felt in many quarters about the modern novel.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

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

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

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 Great anxiety is felt in many quarters about the modern novel.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading Great anxiety is felt in many quarters about the modern novel.

plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading Great anxiety is felt in many quarters about the modern novel.

third-person singular of “obey” — be obedient to

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

and nothing more

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading Great anxiety is felt in many quarters about the modern novel.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

third-person singular of “represent” — take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

an educational institution

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

to a sufficient degree

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

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

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

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

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What, in short, do the schools contribute to the creation of a taste for good literature?

during the time that

From this reading But while the critics are busy saying what the novel should be, and attacking or defending the fiction of the previous age, the novel obeys pretty well the laws of its era, and in many ways, especially in the variety of its development, represents the time.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Do they come out of school with the habit of continuous reading, of reading books, or only of picking up scraps in the newspapers, as they might snatch a hasty meal at a lunch-counter?

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading It is feared that it will not be realistic enough, that it will be too realistic, that it will be insincere as to the common aspects of life, that it will not sufficiently idealize life to keep itself within the limits of true art.