used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
achievedverbUS /əˈtʃiːvd/
past form of “achieve” — to gain with effort
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading But his best aid to success had been an unconscious power of getting himself liked.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But his best aid to success had been an unconscious power of getting himself liked.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading But his best aid to success had been an unconscious power of getting himself liked.
the lower side of anything
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
continuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəs/
continuing in time or space without interruption
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
creativeadjectiveUS /kriˈeɪtɪv/
having the ability or power to create
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
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 HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
fitsnounUS /fɪts/
plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
forcibleadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrsəbəl/
impelled by physical force especially against resistance
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading But his best aid to success had been an unconscious power of getting himself liked.
an established custom
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
HANDCUFFSnounUS /ˈhændkʌfs/
plural of “handcuff” — shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But his best aid to success had been an unconscious power of getting himself liked.
hinderedverbUS /ˈhɪndərd/
past form of “hinder” — be a hindrance or obstacle to
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
imputationnounUS /ˌɪmpjəˈteɪʃən/
a statement attributing something dishonest (especially a criminal offense)
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading But his best aid to success had been an unconscious power of getting himself liked.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover, his pictures sold.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
patrimonynounUS /ˈpætrəmoʊni/
a church endowment
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
perilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Moreover, his pictures sold.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading But his best aid to success had been an unconscious power of getting himself liked.
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/
provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading Moreover, his pictures sold.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
a male human offspring
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
strugglingadjectiveUS /ˈstrʌɡəlɪŋ/
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading But his best aid to success had been an unconscious power of getting himself liked.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His father's name had helped; a patrimony large enough to relieve him of the perilous imputation of being a struggling man had certainly not hindered.
TrentnounUS /trent/
a river in central England that flows generally northeastward to join with the Ouse River and form the Humber
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
twentiesnounUS /ˈtwentiz/
the time of life between 20 and 30
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading But his best aid to success had been an unconscious power of getting himself liked.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading An original, forcible talent and a habit of leisurely but continuous working, broken by fits of strong creative enthusiasm, were at the bottom of it.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.
but in spite of that
From this reading HANDCUFFS IN THE AIR A painter and the son of a painter, Philip Trent had, while yet in his twenties, achieved some reputation within the world of English art.