used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
alights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
(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 These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
a quantity of money
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
bed-post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
cheesenounUS /tʃiːz/
a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
connectingverbUS /kəˈnektɪŋ/
-ing form of “connect” — connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
diarynounUS /ˈdaɪəri/
a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
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 These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
divisible by two
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
at any time
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
the organ of sight
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
fleetingadjectiveUS /ˈfliːtɪŋ/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
lamp-post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
information about recent and important events
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
not any; not one
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
and nothing more
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
approval to do something
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
reader'snounUS /ˈriːdərz/
possessive form of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
recordingnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
republished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
sketchesnounUS /ˈsketʃəz/
plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
sporadicadjectiveUS /spərˈædɪk/
recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
straysnounUS /streɪz/
plural of “stray” — an animal that has strayed (especially a domestic animal)
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Even that diary he could only keep by keeping it in public, for bread and cheese.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading They amount to no more than a sort of sporadic diary--a diary recording one day in twenty which happened to stick in the fancy--the only kind of diary the author has ever been able to keep.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These fleeting sketches are all republished by kind permission of the Editor of the DAILY NEWS, in which paper they appeared.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As the reader’s eye strays, with hearty relief, from these pages, it probably alights on something, a bed-post or a lamp-post, a window blind or a wall.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But trivial as are the topics they are not utterly without a connecting thread of motive.
