73
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
having companions or an escort
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
airilyadverb
in a flippant manner
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
AustennounUS /ˈɔːstɪn/
English novelist noted for her insightful portrayals of middle-class families (1775-1817)
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
Coburg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
embarkingverbUS /emˈbɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “embark” — go on board
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
divisible by two
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
evilsnounUS /ˈiːvəlz/
plural of “evil” — morally objectionable behavior
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
fastidiousadjectiveUS /fæˈstɪdiəs/
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
Godwin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
historicaladjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/
of or relating to the study of history
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
illustrativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlʌstrətɪv/
clarifying by use of examples
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
incongruousadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋˈkɔːŋruːəs/
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
indispensableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbəl/
not to be dispensed with; essential
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
ludicrousadjectiveUS /ˈluːdəkrəs/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
mirthfullyadverb
in a joyous manner
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
monarchynounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrki/
an autocracy governed by a monarch who usually inherits the authority
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
perchanceadverbUS /pərˈtʃæns/
through chance
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
pleadingnounUS /ˈpliːdɪŋ/
(law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
prefacenounUS /ˈprefəs/
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
publishernounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃər/
a firm in the publishing business
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
relaxverbUS /rɪˈlæks/
become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
Identical; not different.
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
except for; apart from
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
in a serious manner
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
be seated
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
believed likely
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
tasksnounUS /tæsks/
plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
UnlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading Unlike Miss Austen, Godwin had neither a sense of humour nor a fastidious artistic conscience to save him from undertaking incongruous tasks.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I could not sit down seriously to write a serious romance under any other motive than to save my life, and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter."[73]
at the time that
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
in the company of; together with
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He seems never even to have suspected the humour of life, and would have perceived nothing ludicrous in the spectacle of the author of _Political Justice_ embarking on such a piece of work.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If Godwin had been confronted with the same offer, he would have settled himself promptly to plot out a scheme, and within a few months a historical romance on the house of Coburg, accompanied perchance by a preface setting forth the evils of monarchy, would have been in the hands of the publisher.
produce a literary work
From this reading When Miss Austen was asked to write a historical romance "illustrative of the house of Coburg," she airily dismissed the suggestion, pleading mirthfully:
