Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

in the past

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

in addition

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

of or relating to persons who study or deal in antiques or antiquities

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

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

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

tired of the world

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

plural of “bore” — a person who evokes boredom

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

plural of “collection” — several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

include or contain; have as a component

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

plural of “demerit” — a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

look down on with disdain

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

command with authority

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading The several volumes of "Winthrop Papers," in especial, are a mine of entertainment.

surpassing what is common or usual or expected

From this reading The several volumes of "Winthrop Papers," in especial, are a mine of entertainment.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

in a furtive manner

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

only a very short time before

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

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

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

of or relating to the study of history

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

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

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

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

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

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

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

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

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

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

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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 Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

plural of “merit” — any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The several volumes of "Winthrop Papers," in especial, are a mine of entertainment.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

not any; not one

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

plural of “oddity” — eccentricity that is not easily explained

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

coated with paint

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading The several volumes of "Winthrop Papers," in especial, are a mine of entertainment.

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

plural of “puritan” — a member of a group of English Protestants who in the 16th and 17th centuries thought that the Protestant Reformation under Elizabeth was incomplete and advocated the simplification and regulation of forms of worship

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

an act of economizing; reduction in cost

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading The several volumes of "Winthrop Papers," in especial, are a mine of entertainment.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

plural of “society” — an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

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

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

comparative of “true” — consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

in a useful manner

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading The several volumes of "Winthrop Papers," in especial, are a mine of entertainment.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

in or at the place that

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.

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

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

during the time that

From this reading Here we have the Puritans painted by themselves, and, while we arrive at a truer notion of the characters of some among them, and may accordingly sacrifice to that dreadful superstition of being usefully employed which makes so many bores and bored, we can also furtively enjoy the oddities of thought and speech, the humors of the time, which our local historians are too apt to despise as inconsidered trifles.

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

From this reading The several volumes of "Winthrop Papers," in especial, are a mine of entertainment.

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading But I have no desire to discuss the merits or demerits of the Puritans, having long ago learned the wisdom of saving my sympathy for more modern objects than Hecuba.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading The collections of our various historical and antiquarian societies can hardly be said to be _published_ in the strict sense of the word, and few consequently are aware how much they contain of interest for the general reader no less than the special student.

plural of “worthy” — an important, honorable person (word is often used humorously)

From this reading My object is to direct the attention of my readers to a collection of documents where they may see those worthies as they were in their daily living and thinking.