used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
(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 Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
argumentsnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənts/
plural of “argument” — a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
CatholicadjectiveUS /ˈkæθlɪk/
of or relating to or supporting Catholicism
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
chasteadjectiveUS /tʃeɪst/
morally pure (especially not having experienced sexual intercourse)
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
conversionnounUS /kənˈvɜːrʒən/
an event that results in a transformation
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
decoynounUS /dəˈkɔɪ/
a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot)
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
despicableadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɪkəbəl/
morally reprehensible
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
forgivenverbUS /fərˈɡɪvən/
inflected form of “forgive” — stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
gulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
hesitateverbUS /ˈhezəteɪt/
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
indulgentlyadverb
in an indulgent manner
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
injusticenounUS /ˌɪnˈdʒʌstɪs/
an unjust act
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
intolerantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərənt/
unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
JesusnounUS /ˈdʒiːzəs/
a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
judgmentsnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒmənts/
plural of “judgment” — an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
meannessnounUS /ˈmiːnnəs/
the quality of being deliberately mean
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
overpassnounUS /ˈoʊvərpæs/
bridge formed by the upper level of a crossing of two highways at different levels
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
resistancenounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
Identical; not different.
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
in the near future
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He did not like to discuss this question with himself, but it returned and took possession of him all the same, and he was obliged to admit the meanness of his arguments, the despicable reasons for his resistance.
unbelievers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading He now understood the injustice of his judgments, and confessed that between faith and practice was a gulf difficult to overpass.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
which person or people
From this reading And he was surprised that people he knew, who were in these conditions, did not maintain an attitude higher than his own.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He who had so long indulgently forgiven himself became singularly intolerant, so soon as he had to do with a Catholic.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Before his conversion he had said like all unbelievers: "If I believed that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is not a decoy, I would not hesitate to change all my habits, to follow as far as possible the rules of religion, and, in any case, to live chaste."
