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 If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

possessive form of “aesop” — Greek author of fables (circa 620-560 BC)

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

(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 If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

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

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

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

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

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

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

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

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

for the most part

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

in a courageous manner

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

a cynical feeling of distrust

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

third-person singular of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

let fall to the ground

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

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 Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

accept an excuse for

From this reading But there is a further excuse for the present writer.

plural of “fable” — a deliberately false or improbable account

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

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

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading But there is a further excuse for the present writer.

a gay feeling

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

endowed with talent or talents

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

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

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

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

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

cause to arise

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

impossible to resist; overpowering

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

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

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

engage in

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

an old breed of powerful deep-chested smooth-coated dog used chiefly as a watchdog and guard dog

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

in an essential manner

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

not any; not one

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

many times at short intervals

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

affording satisfaction or pleasure

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading But there is a further excuse for the present writer.

the patterns of stress and intonation in a language

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

witty language used to convey insults or scorn

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

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

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But there is a further excuse for the present writer.

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

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

plural of “translator” — a person who translates written messages from one language to another

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

having more than one decidedly dissimilar aspects or qualities

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

literature in metrical form

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

German conductor (1876-1962)

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

at the time that

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

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

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Their charm is two-fold; for whilst they induce pleasurable reflection in the reader they delight him by the gaiety of their subject matter.

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading If deep wisdom, gentle satire, polite cynicism, and, above all, irresistible humour are qualities which make a book attractive then La Fontaine's _Fables_ should be in the hands of all.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading In this little book no such effort has been made, chiefly for the reason that, for any but the unusually gifted, to snatch at rhythm and rhyme is often to let drop the apt and ready word as AEsop's mastiff dropped his dinner.

United States writer of detective novels (1888-1939)

From this reading Notwithstanding the fact that the spell of La Fontaine's verse necessarily disappears when another tongue is employed, his English translators, both Elizur Wright and Walter Thornbury, have courageously attempted to do him justice in prosody.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading But there is a further excuse for the present writer.