Chapter XL · Chapter 40

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

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

past form of “bloom” — produce or yield flowers

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

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

From this reading CRABBE.

dearly loved

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

comparative of “dear” — dearly loved

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

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

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

at any time

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

become less clearly visible or distinguishable; disappear gradually or seemingly

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

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

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

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

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

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

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

a polite name for any woman

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

immediately past

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

held dear

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

the quality of being good looking and attractive

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

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

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

the quality or state of being mortal

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

and nothing more

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

deliberate and stubborn unruliness and resistance to guidance or discipline

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

in the near future

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

give moral or emotional strength to

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading IT may seem strange, but Maltravers had never loved Lady Florence as he did now.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

carry out

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

a special situation

From this reading A thing to protect, to soothe, to shelter--oh, how dear it is to the pride of man!

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

past form of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

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

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

at the time that

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

belonging to which person

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading “Away, my friends, why take such pains to know What some brave marble soon in church shall show?”

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading Was it the perversity of human nature that makes the things of mortality dearer to us in proportion as they fade from our hopes, like birds whose hues are only unfolded when they take wing and vanish amidst the skies; or was it that he had ever doted more on loveliness of mind than that of form, and the first bloomed out the more, the more the last decayed?