adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
absurdadjectiveUS /əbˈsɜːrd/
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
antiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
attemptnounUS /əˈtempt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
BohemianounUS /boʊˈhiːmiə/
a historical area and former kingdom in the Czech Republic
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
BooknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
bringverbUS /brɪŋ/
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
clearestadjectiveUS /ˈklɪrɪst/
superlative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/
carefully weighed
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
criticismsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz/
plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
despicableadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɪkəbəl/
morally reprehensible
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
editornounUS /ˈedətər/
a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
enthusiasmnounUS /ɪnˈθuːziæzəm/
a feeling of excitement
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
falseadjectiveUS /fɔːls/
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
fineradjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnər/
(comparative of “fine”) greater in quality or excellence
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
GemsnounUS /dʒemz/
plural of “gem” — art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
HenrynounUS /ˈhenri/
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
highestadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪəst/
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
impartverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrt/
transmit (knowledge or skills)
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
intentionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃən/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
languagenounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒ/
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
merelyadverbUS /ˈmɪrli/
and nothing more
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
meritnounUS /ˈmerət/
any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
opinionnounUS /əˈpɪnjən/
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
pleaseverbUS /pliːz/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
poeticaladjectiveUS /poʊˈetɪkəl/
of or relating to poetry
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
QueennounUS /kwiːn/
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
readernounUS /ˈriːdər/
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
school'snounUS /skuːlz/
possessive form of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
school-but
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
selectionsnounUS /səˈlekʃənz/
plural of “selection” — the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
successfuladjectiveUS /səkˈsesfəl/
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
trashnounUS /træʃ/
worthless material that is to be disposed of
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
untenableadjectiveUS /ənˈtenəbəl/
(of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
VersesnounUS /ˈvɜːrsəz/
plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
Wotton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
