used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
brain-sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
bridlenounUS /ˈbraɪdəl/
headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
DamonnounUS /ˈdeɪmən/
the friend of Phintias who pledged his life that Phintias would return (4th century BC)
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
dissolvedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɑːlvd/
(of solid matter) reduced to a liquid form
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
domage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
remove the dust from
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
erredverbUS /erd/
past form of “err” — to make a mistake or be incorrect
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
the organ of sight
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
start firing a weapon
From this reading If Phillis love, love her, yet love her so That if she fly, thou may'st love's fire forego.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading If Phillis love, love her, yet love her so That if she fly, thou may'st love's fire forego.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
foregoverbUS /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/
be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading If Phillis love, love her, yet love her so That if she fly, thou may'st love's fire forego.
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
obtain
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
helpsnounUS /helps/
plural of “help” — the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
homagenounUS /ˈɑːmədʒ/
respectful deference
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
not in action or at work
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Phillis love, love her, yet love her so That if she fly, thou may'st love's fire forego.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
interredadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrd/
placed in a grave
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
judgment's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
judicialadjectiveUS /dʒuːˈdɪʃəl/
decreed by or proceeding from a court of justice
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading If Phillis love, love her, yet love her so That if she fly, thou may'st love's fire forego.
love'snounUS /lʌvz/
possessive form of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading If Phillis love, love her, yet love her so That if she fly, thou may'st love's fire forego.
may'st
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Phillis love, love her, yet love her so That if she fly, thou may'st love's fire forego.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
passionsnounUS /ˈpæʃənz/
plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
Phillis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
preventionnounUS /priˈvenʃən/
the act of preventing
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
with speed
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
ReinverbUS /reɪn/
control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
determined
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
richesnounUS /ˈrɪtʃəz/
an abundance of material possessions and resources
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
an old form of “shall”, used with “thou”
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If Phillis love, love her, yet love her so That if she fly, thou may'st love's fire forego.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
an old word for “yours”
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
thyself
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
wertauxiliary verbUS /wɜːrt/
an old form of “were”, used with “thou”
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
at the time that
From this reading For time shall come when Phillis is interred, That Damon shall confess that he hath erred.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Have mercy on thyself, cease being idle, Let reason claim and gain of will his homage; Rein in these brain-sick thoughts with judgment's bridle, A short prevention helps a mighty domage.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When nature's riches shall, by time dissolved, Call thee to see with more judicial eye How Phillis' beauties are to dust resolved, Thou then shalt ask thyself the reason why Thou wert so fond, since Phillis was so frail, To praise her gifts that should so quickly fail.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Play with the fire, yet die not in the flame; Show passions in thy words, but not in heart; Lest when thou think to bring thy thoughts in frame, Thou prove thyself a prisoner by thine art.
but in spite of that
From this reading If Phillis love, love her, yet love her so That if she fly, thou may'st love's fire forego.
