used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
(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 But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
amateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
amateursnounUS /ˈæmətɜːrz/
plural of “amateur” — someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I liked things that appeared; then one was sure.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
CombinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
defectnounUS /ˈdiːfekt/
an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
detestationnoun
hate coupled with disgust
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
innateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈneɪt/
not established by conditioning or learning
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
not any; not one
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
objectionnounUS /əbˈdʒekʃən/
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
perfections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
perversitynounUS /pərˈvɜːrsəti/
deliberate and stubborn unruliness and resistance to guidance or discipline
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
representationnounUS /ˌreprəzenˈteɪʃən/
a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
rulingnounUS /ˈruːlɪŋ/
the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading I liked things that appeared; then one was sure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I liked things that appeared; then one was sure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I liked things that appeared; then one was sure.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading I liked things that appeared; then one was sure.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Combined with this was another perversity—an innate preference for the represented subject over the real one: the defect of the real one was so apt to be a lack of representation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After all they were amateurs, and the ruling passion of my life was the detestation of the amateur.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But, somehow, with all their perfections I didn’t easily believe in them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I liked them—they were so simple; and I had no objection to them if they would suit.
