1
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
1620
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Virgin Martyr_ is noticed October 6th, 1620, as newly reformed.
236
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
6th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Virgin Martyr_ is noticed October 6th, 1620, as newly reformed.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
(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 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The _Virgin Martyr_ is noticed October 6th, 1620, as newly reformed.
Barnavelt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vandort, the speaker here, is opposing the idea of mercy to Barnavelt.
basesnounUS /ˈbeɪsəz/
plural of “base” — installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
connexionnounUS /kəˈnekʃən/
a connecting shape
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
crueltynounUS /ˈkruːlti/
a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
dependencenounUS /dɪˈpendəns/
the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
do't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
empiresnounUS /ˈempaɪərz/
plural of “empire” — the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
divisible by two
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
examplesnounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəlz/
plural of “example” — an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Vandort, the speaker here, is opposing the idea of mercy to Barnavelt.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Vandort, the speaker here, is opposing the idea of mercy to Barnavelt.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Vandort, the speaker here, is opposing the idea of mercy to Barnavelt.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
most important element
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
MartyrnounUS /ˈmɑːrtər/
one who suffers for the sake of principle
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
Massinger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
the force of workers available
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading Vandort, the speaker here, is opposing the idea of mercy to Barnavelt.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading The _Virgin Martyr_ is noticed October 6th, 1620, as newly reformed.
being perceived or observed
From this reading The _Virgin Martyr_ is noticed October 6th, 1620, as newly reformed.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading The _Virgin Martyr_ is noticed October 6th, 1620, as newly reformed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
opposingadjectiveUS /əˈpoʊzɪŋ/
characterized by active hostility
From this reading Vandort, the speaker here, is opposing the idea of mercy to Barnavelt.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
proceedingsnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
receivesverbUS /rəˈsiːvz/
third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
reformedadjectiveUS /rɪˈfɔːrmd/
of or relating to the body of Protestant Christianity arising during the Reformation; used of some Protestant churches especially Calvinist as distinct from Lutheran
From this reading The _Virgin Martyr_ is noticed October 6th, 1620, as newly reformed.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
scandalousadjectiveUS /ˈskændələs/
giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading Vandort, the speaker here, is opposing the idea of mercy to Barnavelt.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
UnsafeadjectiveUS /ənˈseɪf/
lacking in security or safety
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
the act of using
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
being of use or service
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
Vandort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vandort, the speaker here, is opposing the idea of mercy to Barnavelt.
precisely as stated
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
VirginnounUS /ˈvɜːrdʒɪn/
a person who has never had sex
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
at the time that
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
belonging to which person
From this reading Such mild proceedings in a Government New settled, whose main power had its dependence Upon the power of some particular men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The language is very mild, but receives a peculiar shade of meaning when read in connexion with the following passage by Massinger from the _Virgin Martyr_, I.
be the cause or source of
From this reading 1, 236:-- In all growing empires Even cruelty is useful; some must suffer And be set up examples to strike terror In others, though far off: but when a state Is raised to her perfection, and her bases Too firm to shrink, or yield, we may use mercy And do't with safety.
