Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

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

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

(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 The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

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

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

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

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

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

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

plural of “cannibal” — a person who eats human flesh

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

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

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

plural of “consent” — permission to do something

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

plural of “console” — a small table fixed to a wall or designed to stand against a wall

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

a rude expression intended to offend or hurt

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

having a strong distaste from surfeit

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

plural of “epithet” — a defamatory or abusive word or phrase

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

every person

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

of or relating to or suggestive of flowers

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

at a previous time

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

(Old Testament) an ancient city near the Dead Sea that (along with Sodom) was destroyed by God for the vice and depravity of its inhabitants

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

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

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

plural of “hare” — swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a divided upper lip and long hind legs; young born furred and with open eyes

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

past form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

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

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

having an irritable and unpleasant disposition

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

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

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

relating to or accompanying birth

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

not any; not one

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

relating to time long past

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

giving pleasure and satisfaction

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

soft food made by boiling oatmeal or other meal or legumes in water or milk until thick

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

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

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

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

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

except for; apart from

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

plural of “scribbler” — informal terms for journalists

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

refrain from harming

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

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

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

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

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

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

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

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

From this reading Certain persons have reproached the Author for knowing no more about the language of the olden times than hares do of telling stories.

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

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

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

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

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

inflected form of “vilify” — spread negative information about

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading The Author consoles himself for his want of success in not pleasing everyone by remembering that an old Tourainian, of eternal memory, had put up with such contumely, that losing all patience, he declared in one of his prologues, that he would never more put pen to paper.

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

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

a specific feeling of desire

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But the Author consents to spare them the flowery epithets of ancient criticism; he contents himself with wishing not to be in their skin, for he would be disgusted with himself, and esteem himself the vilest of scribblers thus to calumniate a poor little book which is not in the style of any spoil-paper of these times.

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

From this reading Formerly these people would have been vilified, called cannibals, churls, and sycophants, and Gomorrah would have been hinted at as their natal place.

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

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Ah! ill-natured wretches! you should save your breath to cool your own porridge!