used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
admireverbUS /ædˈmaɪr/
feel admiration for
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
AdmittedlyadverbUS /ædˈmɪtɪdli/
as acknowledged
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
advantagesnounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒɪz/
plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
affectationnounUS /ˌæfekˈteɪʃən/
a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
(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 In all probability even her study of human nature was spontaneous and unconscious.
allusionsnounUS /əˈluːʒənz/
plural of “allusion” — passing reference or indirect mention
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
from appearances alone
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
AustennounUS /ˈɔːstɪn/
English novelist noted for her insightful portrayals of middle-class families (1775-1817)
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yet she expected to be taken seriously.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
blue-stocking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
Burney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
culturenounUS /ˈkʌltʃər/
a particular society at a particular time and place
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
divisible by two
From this reading In all probability even her study of human nature was spontaneous and unconscious.
every person
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Yet she expected to be taken seriously.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
historicaladjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/
of or relating to the study of history
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
holdsnounUS /hoʊldz/
plural of “hold” — the act of grasping
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading In all probability even her study of human nature was spontaneous and unconscious.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
idealsnounUS /aɪˈdiːlz/
plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
includingverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
and nothing more
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading In all probability even her study of human nature was spontaneous and unconscious.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
not one, and not any
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
novel-reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/
a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
From this reading In all probability even her study of human nature was spontaneous and unconscious.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
in a serious manner
From this reading Yet she expected to be taken seriously.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
SpectatornounUS /ˈspekteɪtər/
a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
spontaneousadjectiveUS /spɑːnˈteɪniəs/
happening or arising without apparent external cause
From this reading In all probability even her study of human nature was spontaneous and unconscious.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading In all probability even her study of human nature was spontaneous and unconscious.
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Yet she expected to be taken seriously.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading In all probability even her study of human nature was spontaneous and unconscious.
voraciousadjectiveUS /vɔːˈreɪʃəs/
excessively greedy and grasping
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Apparently she took little interest in politics or social problems; and our ideals of culture suffer shock before her allusions to _The Spectator_, to read and admire which she holds the affectation of a blue-stocking.
which person or people
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
wig-maker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane Austen had none of the advantages of Miss Burney, who knew everybody, including the wig-maker next door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Admittedly she was a voracious novel-reader, but for her own pleasure merely; certainly not with any idea of historical development or artistic criticism.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet she expected to be taken seriously.
