Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

bulbous plant having showy white to reddish flowers

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

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

From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.

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

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

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

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

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

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

intentionally conceived

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

a person to whom money is owed by a debtor; someone to whom an obligation exists

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

a person who owes a creditor; someone who has the obligation of paying a debt

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

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

From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

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

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

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

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

in a numb manner; without feeling

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

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

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

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

From this reading MILTON'S /Lycidas/.

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

From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.

reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

the force of workers available

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

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

From this reading MILTON'S /Lycidas/.

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

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

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

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

not one thing; not anything

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

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

From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.

occurring from time to time

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

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

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

the time that has elapsed

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

thrust or throw into

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

comparative of “rare” — not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

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

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

a gradual sinking to a lower level

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.

an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

restricted to something

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

plural of “tangle” — a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

not feeling or showing gratitude

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

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

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

in or at that place or location

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

a special situation

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

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

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

the act of using

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

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

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

at the time that

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.