Chapter XIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

how long something has existed

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

(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 For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

plural of “build” — constitution of the human body

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

plural of “bull” — uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

an occurrence of something

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

plural of “chap” — a boy or man

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia)

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

relating to or characteristic of Christianity

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

rid of obstructions

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

female of domestic cattle: "“moo-cow” is a child's term"

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

plural of “crime” — (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

the act of damning

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

searching for underground water or minerals by using a dowsing rod

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

a reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

set up or found

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

show one's unhappiness or critical attitude

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

only a very short time before

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

a base hit on which the batter scores a run

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

immediately past

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

wingless usually flattened bloodsucking insect parasitic on warm-blooded animals

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

having or bringing misfortune

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

German theologian who led the Reformation; believed that salvation is granted on the basis of faith rather than deeds (1483-1546)

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

engage in

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

a disorderly crowd of people

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

arrange in a container

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

United States sociologist (1902-1979)

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

(Greek mythology) a friend of Achilles who was killed in the Trojan War; his death led Achilles to return to the fight after his quarrel with Agamemnon

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

(Christianity) the abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

possessive form of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

plural of “priest” — a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

plural of “rap” — a reproach for some lapse or misdeed

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

a deep prolonged loud noise

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

express in words

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

showing signs of wear and tear

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

term of address for a man

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

plural of “skull” — the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

a light informal meal

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

in the near future

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

be hungry; go without food

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For far less crimes the bulls of Rome Have kick'd and scar'd all Christendom; To every age and every station Roaring perdition and damnation; And had not one Sir Luther Martin Found that their roaring was but farting, To this good day our empty skulls Had been humbugg'd by Peter's bulls.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

a hard blow with a flat object

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

uncastrated adult male sheep

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

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 On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

at the time that

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading On Childermas, a luckless day, Their shabby wall of mud, they say, Was rais'd, which made it soon give way.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now whilst Patroclus play'd the quack, The mob each other's bones did thwack, Gave and receiv'd confounded raps With many a dowsing slap o' th' chaps.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But Homer had a better reason, Why it would hardly last a season: They hurried so to get it up, They did not kill a single tup, Or bull, or cow, to give their pack Of wooden gods a little snack: This made their hungry parsons grumble, And swear by G-d the wall would tumble; And such a case, I'm pretty clear, Would make a Christian parson swear-- When people cease their gods to serve, The jolly priests of course must starve.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading They say, if God don't build the house, Your labour is not worth a louse; But if he builds, we surely then Should keep and pay his journeymen.