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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.
accomplishments
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.
admitted
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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.
aim
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From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
all
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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.
any
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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.
baffles
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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.
book
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.
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.
ceased
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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.
Christmas
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.
claim
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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.
classed
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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.
conceived
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.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
conspicuous
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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.
contentment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
defeated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
demands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
description
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From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
entertain
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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.
entertainment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
equal
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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.
flee
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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.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
frame
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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.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
genius
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.
get
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From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
grapple
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.
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.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
head
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.
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.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
inexpressible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
knew
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.
lately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
legerdemain
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.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
man
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.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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 /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
modest
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.
Morris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
notion
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.
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.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
overweening
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.
own
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.
owned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
parts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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 /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
pedestrian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
pleasures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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 /powers/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
resigned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Morris returned from Waterloo in a frame of mind that baffles description.
rewards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
shone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, one aim shone before him: he could get home.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
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.
table
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.
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.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
today
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
turn
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.
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.
unfit
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.
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.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
usually
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.
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.
Waterloo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
write
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.
