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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 ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
abundance
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From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
actually
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From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
admiration
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From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
all
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From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
ALLEGED
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
almost
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From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
approval
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From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
astonishment
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From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
atmosphere
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
bored
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From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
chapter
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From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
common
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From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
complain
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From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
decadent
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
DICKENS
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/
extreme sadness or suffering
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
epoch
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
expressed
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
happiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
intellectual
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
lot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
main
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From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
majority
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From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
matter
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From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
miserable
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From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
OPTIMISM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
optimist
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
period
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
physically
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From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
plays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
praise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
referring
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From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
sameness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
strangeness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
suggested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
term
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have in a previous chapter suggested something of the real strangeness of such a term.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After all, the main matter of astonishment (or rather of admiration) is that optimism should be vulgar.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
vulgar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE ALLEGED OPTIMISM OF DICKENS In one of the plays of the decadent period, an intellectual expressed the atmosphere of his epoch by referring to Dickens as “a vulgar optimist.”
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In a world in which the majority is physically miserable we actually complain of the sameness of praise; we are bored with the abundance of approval.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a world in which physical distress is almost the common lot, we actually complain that happiness is too common.
