used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In its irony there is condescension and therefore embarrassment.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But these things are not larks; nor are they occasional.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But these things are not larks; nor are they occasional.
condescensionnounUS /ˌkɑːndəˈsenʃən/
the trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior
From this reading In its irony there is condescension and therefore embarrassment.
being joined in close association
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
embarrassmentnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənt/
the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading In its irony there is condescension and therefore embarrassment.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading Now the Englishman is fond of occasional larks.
Englishman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
divisible by two
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Now the Englishman is fond of occasional larks.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In its irony there is condescension and therefore embarrassment.
ironynounUS /ˈaɪrəni/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading In its irony there is condescension and therefore embarrassment.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now the Englishman is fond of occasional larks.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In its irony there is condescension and therefore embarrassment.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
larknounUS /lɑːrk/
North American songbirds having a yellow breast
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
larksnounUS /lɑːrks/
plural of “lark” — North American songbirds having a yellow breast
From this reading Now the Englishman is fond of occasional larks.
the sound of laughing
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
meritsnounUS /ˈmerəts/
plural of “merit” — any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But these things are not larks; nor are they occasional.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But these things are not larks; nor are they occasional.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now the Englishman is fond of occasional larks.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Now the Englishman is fond of occasional larks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now the Englishman is fond of occasional larks.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now the Englishman is fond of occasional larks.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In its irony there is condescension and therefore embarrassment.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading In its irony there is condescension and therefore embarrassment.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But these things are not larks; nor are they occasional.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But these things are not larks; nor are they occasional.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But these things are not larks; nor are they occasional.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
weaknessesnounUS /ˈwiːknəsəz/
plural of “weakness” — a flaw or weak point
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
at the time that
From this reading It is the essential of the Englishman's lark that he should think it a lark; that he should laugh at it even when he does it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Being English myself, I like it; but being English myself, I know it is connected with weaknesses as well as merits.
