Chapter V

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

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

plural of “add” — a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

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

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

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

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

plural of “aspect” — a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

a useful or valuable quality

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

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

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

a relation that provides the foundation for something

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

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

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

for the reason that

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

an account of the series of events making up a person's life

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

brought into existence

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

Scottish author noted for his biography of Samuel Johnson (1740-1795)

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

precise; explicit and clearly defined

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

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

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

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

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

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

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

absolutely necessary; vitally necessary

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

a social unit living together

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

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

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

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

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

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

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

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

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

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

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

plural of “increase” — a quantity that is added

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

third-person singular of “intensify” — increase in extent or intensity

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

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

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

lacking natural ease

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

a landowner

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

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

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

held dear

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

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

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

joined in matrimony

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

the force of workers available

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

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

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

used to form the superlative

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

not any; not one

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

many times at short intervals

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

by chance

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

practice as a profession, teach, or claim to be knowledgeable about

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

express in words

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

try to get or reach

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But the mere fact of his being married was, in a sense, of far less consequence to him than to most men.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

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

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

in or at that place or location

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

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

From this reading A biography of Boswell, though it might profess to be complete, could say little about his domestic life.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

precisely as stated

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

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

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading If he has told us very little about it, there is, however, no reason that we should seek to know more.

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

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

in or at the place that

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

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

From this reading There were two aspects of his life which were dissociated in a peculiar degree from each other--the life in Scotland, where he laboured at the Law and was eventually to be Laird of Auchinleck, and where his home was the basis of operations; and the life in London, which he visited as often as he was able, to live the gay life he loved, and to talk to his literary friends, especially to Dr. Johnson.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading It was a very essential part of Boswell that he should have a wife and family: a wife, because she adds a certain flavour of respectability and is a definite asset to the social position of a man, still more perhaps because she increases responsibility and so intensifies the sensation of importance; a family, because to the man of estate there must be born an heir.