Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading The ability displayed in its illumination can be denied by none.

(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 It is the temper that usually spoils all.

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

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

plural of “anecdote” — short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

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

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

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

From this reading The importance of the theme will be questioned by few.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The importance of the theme will be questioned by few.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The ability displayed in its illumination can be denied by none.

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

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

the state of being complete and entire; having everything that is needed

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

include or contain; have as a component

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

a point asserted as part of an argument

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading The ability displayed in its illumination can be denied by none.

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading The ability displayed in its illumination can be denied by none.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

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

From this reading The importance of the theme will be questioned by few.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

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

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination

From this reading The ability displayed in its illumination can be denied by none.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading The importance of the theme will be questioned by few.

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

From this reading The ability displayed in its illumination can be denied by none.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

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

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

immediately past

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

not one, and not any

From this reading The ability displayed in its illumination can be denied by none.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The importance of the theme will be questioned by few.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

plural of “pamphlet” — a small book usually having a paper cover

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading The importance of the theme will be questioned by few.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

except for; apart from

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

try to get or reach

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

intelligence manifested by being astute (as in business dealings)

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

plural of “spoil” — (usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war)

From this reading It is the temper that usually spoils all.

a sudden outburst of anger

From this reading It is the temper that usually spoils all.

plural of “ten” — the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is the temper that usually spoils all.

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

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading The importance of the theme will be questioned by few.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

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

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

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

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

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

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

under normal conditions

From this reading It is the temper that usually spoils all.

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

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "THE REHEARSAL TRANSPROSED" It is never easy for ecclesiastical controversy to force its way into literature.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The importance of the theme will be questioned by few.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

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

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.

but in spite of that

From this reading A collection in any way approaching completeness, of the pamphlets this contention has produced in England, would contain tens of thousands of volumes; full of curious learning and anecdotes, of wide reading and conjecture, of shrewdness and wit; yet these books are certainly the last we would seek to save from fire or water.