Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

(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 Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

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

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

brought into existence

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

a youthful male person

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

plural of “century” — a period of 100 years

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

without stop or interruption

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

the state of being tense and feeling pain

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

one or the other of two

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

any strong feeling

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

divisible by two

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

without any others being included or involved

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

cranial nerve that supplies facial muscles

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

a notable achievement

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

something acquired without compensation

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

bite or chew on with the teeth

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

having or involving the use of hands

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

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

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

plural of “historian” — a person who is an authority on history and who studies it and writes about it

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

making a strong or vivid impression

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

not capable of being separated

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

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

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

conformity or harmony

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

a boy or man

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

below the surround or below the normal position

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

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 The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

the force of workers available

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

plural of “miracle” — any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

not any; not one

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

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

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

commodities offered for sale

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

only a very short time before

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

exhibiting restraint imposed on the self

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

have in common; held or experienced in common

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

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

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

an ancient Greek city famous for military prowess; the dominant city of the Peloponnesus prior to the 4th century BC

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

express a supposition

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

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

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Historians have handed it down that, even in the later stages of the meal, the polite lad continued to be the life and soul of the party.

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

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

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

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

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

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

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

From this reading The gift of hiding private emotion and keeping up appearances before strangers is not, as many suppose, entirely a product of our modern civilization.

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

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

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

From this reading Of all the qualities which belong exclusively to Man and are not shared by the lower animals, this surely is the one which marks him off most sharply from the beasts of the field.

during the time that

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

which person or people

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

to a great degree

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading But, while this feat may be said to have established a record never subsequently lowered, there is no doubt that almost every day in modern times men and women are performing similar and scarcely less impressive miracles of self-restraint.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Centuries before we were born or thought of there was a widely press-agented boy in Sparta who even went so far as to let a fox gnaw his tender young stomach without permitting the discomfort inseparable from such a proceeding to interfere with either his facial expression or his flow of small talk.