used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
any thing at all
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
apprehendverbUS /ˌæprɪˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
for the reason that
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
(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 Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
deem to be
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
give expression to
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
feudsnounUS /fjuːdz/
plural of “feud” — a bitter quarrel between two parties
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But I must not go on moralising.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
malignantadjectiveUS /məˈlɪɡnənt/
dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
moralising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I must not go on moralising.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But I must not go on moralising.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
not any; not one
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But I must not go on moralising.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
by chance
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
purveyingverbUS /pərˈveɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “purvey” — supply with provisions
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
on the contrary
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
representverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzent/
take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
precisely, exactly
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
express in words
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I say, “my readers,” though I have so little part in purveying for them, that I mostly consider myself one of them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Were this better known, it might be an aid to charity, and prevent some of those feuds which grow out of the poverty of man’s power to express, to apprehend, to represent, rather than out of any malignant part of his nature.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading MY readers will, perhaps, agree with me in being sorry to find that we are coming to the end of our present series.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It is no light task, however, to give a good account of a conversation; and I say this, and would wish people to try whether I am not right in saying so, not to call attention to my labour in the matter, but because it may be well to notice how difficult it is to report anything truly.
