Chapter XXXIX · Chapter 39

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

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

treat badly

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.

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

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

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

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

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

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

plural of “blemish” — a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

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

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.

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

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.

disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

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

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

perceived or discerned

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.

a deliberately false or improbable account

From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

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

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

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

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

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

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

plural of “individual” — a human being

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

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

From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.

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

From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.

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

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end

From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.

engage in

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)

From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.

a misleading falsehood

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.

plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

participate in games or sport

From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.

a full supply

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

having a point

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

in the near future

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

express in words

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

a native or inhabitant of Spain

From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.

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

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.

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

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

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

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

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

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.

having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

venomous Old World snakes characterized by hollow venom-conducting fangs in the upper jaw

From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.

extreme harmfulness (as the capacity of a microorganism to cause disease)

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

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

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

done by design

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.

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

From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.

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

From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by-the-bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.