Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
ability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
achieve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
achieved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
branch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
energetic and quick
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
character
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
circulating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
composing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
considering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
convincing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
delineation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
dialogue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
discuss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
distinction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
Drood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
Edwin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
elaboration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
enable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
endowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
ephemeral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
extraordinarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
factors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
FICTION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
gift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
gracefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
imagination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
libraries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
lifelike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
literature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
marvellous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
Mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
neglect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
non
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
novelist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
novels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
Oscar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
patrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
persons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
possess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
produce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
prolonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
prose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
qua
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
qualities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
requires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
requisite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
romance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
sine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
speculative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
style
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
truism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
unfinished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
versatility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
verse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
vexed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
vivid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading That he was endowed with an extraordinarily vivid imagination and that his versatility was marvellous are factors that no one should neglect to take into account when considering the matter.
WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
Wilde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading To begin with, the story must be of sufficient interest to hold the attention of the reader, the dialogue must be brisk and to the point, and the delineation of character--a gift in itself--lifelike and convincing.
wittily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
works
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the novelist should possess style is a _sine qua non_--that is, if his novels are to take their place as works of art and not merely achieve an ephemeral success amongst the patrons of circulating libraries--but to achieve distinction in the field of romance many other qualities are requisite.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Whether Oscar Wilde would, had his life been prolonged, have ever achieved success in this branch of literature is one of those vexed questions which may well be left to those speculative persons who love to discuss "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and other unfinished works of fiction.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
WRITER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FICTION WRITER FICTION That the gift of composing beautiful verse and the ability to write gracefully and wittily in prose does not of necessity enable an author to produce good fiction, is a truism that requires no elaboration.
