Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

plural of “accomplishment” — the action of accomplishing something

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

a feeling of delighted approval and liking

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

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

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

(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 I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

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

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

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

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

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

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

state categorically

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

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

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

strongly attracted

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

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

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

harsh criticism or disapproval

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

reason by deduction; establish by deduction

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

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

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

without deviation

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

-ing form of “express” — give expression to

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

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

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

plural of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

unpleasantly stern

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

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

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

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

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

Living forever; never dying or decaying. (Bất tử, trường tồn vĩnh cửu.)

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

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

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

the quality of innocent naivete

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

against your will

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

show to be right by providing justification or proof

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

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

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

plural of “objection” — the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading I never formed an idea of conjugal happiness, but my mind involuntarily adverted to the graces of that finished picture.

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

land and the buildings on it

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

French philosopher and writer born in Switzerland; believed that the natural goodness of man was warped by society; ideas influenced the French Revolution (1712-1778)

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

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

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

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

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.

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

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

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

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

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

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

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

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

a cruel and oppressive dictator

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

precisely as stated

From this reading The ladies, in order to justify their censure, assert that Milton, a harsh domestic tyrant, must needs be a very inadequate judge, and of course a very unfair delineator, of female accomplishments.

at the time that

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

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

From this reading These fair cavilers draw their inference from premises, from which I have always been accustomed to deduce a directly contrary conclusion.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I have been sometimes surprised when in conversation I have been expressing my admiration of the character of Eve in her state of innocence, as drawn by our immortal poet, to hear objections started by those, from whom of all critics I should have least expected it--the ladies.

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

From this reading I confess that as the Sophia of Rousseau had her young imagination captivated by the character of Fenelon's Telemachus, so I early became enamored of that of Milton's Eve.