adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
accomplishmentsnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənts/
plural of “accomplishment” — the action of accomplishing something
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
admittedverbUS /ədˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
aimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
bafflesnounUS /ˈbæfəlz/
plural of “baffle” — a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
ceasedverbUS /siːst/
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
claimnounUS /kleɪm/
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
classedverbUS /klæst/
past form of “class” — arrange or order by classes or categories
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/
carefully weighed
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
conspicuousadjectiveUS /kənˈspɪkjuːəs/
obvious to the eye or mind
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
contentmentnounUS /kənˈtentmənt/
happiness with one's situation in life
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
defeatedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfiːtəd/
beaten or overcome; not victorious
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
descriptionnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃən/
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
fleeverbUS /fliː/
run away quickly
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
frameverbUS /freɪm/
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
fullyadverbUS /ˈfʊli/
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
furtheradverbUS /ˈfɜːrðər/
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
geniusnounUS /ˈdʒiːnjəs/
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
grappleverbUS /ˈɡræpəl/
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
inexpressibleadjective
defying expression
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
instantlyadverbUS /ˈɪnstəntli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
knewverbUS /nuː/
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 He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
latelyadverbUS /ˈleɪtli/
in the recent past
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
legerdemainnounUS /ˌledʒərdəˈmeɪn/
an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
MorrisnounUS /ˈmɔːrəs/
United States suffragist in Wyoming (1814-1902)
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
napkin-ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
notionnounUS /ˈnoʊʃən/
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
orderedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrdərd/
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
overweeningadjective
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
ownedadjectiveUS /oʊnd/
having an owner; often used in combination
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
partsnounUS /pɑːrts/
the local environment
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/
an organization to gain political power
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
pedestriannounUS /pəˈdestriən/
a person who travels by foot
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
powersnounUS /ˈpaʊərz/
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
resignedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪnd/
past form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
rewardsnounUS /rɪˈwɔːrdz/
plural of “reward” — a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
unfitadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪt/
below the required standards for a purpose
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He knew--he admitted--his parts to be pedestrian, but he had considered them (until quite lately) fully equal to the demands of life.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
WaterloonounUS /ˈwɔːtərluː/
a town in central Belgium where in 1815 Napoleon met his final defeat
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And today he owned himself defeated: life had the upper hand; if there had been any means of flight or place to flee to, if the world had been so ordered that a man could leave it like a place of entertainment, Morris would have instantly resigned all further claim on its rewards and pleasures, and, with inexpressible contentment, ceased to be.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading He was a modest man; he had never conceived an overweening notion of his own powers; he knew himself unfit to write a book, turn a table napkin-ring, entertain a Christmas party with legerdemain--grapple (in short) any of those conspicuous accomplishments that are usually classed under the head of genius.
