Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

freed from any question of guilt

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

how long something has existed

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

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

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

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

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

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

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

the quality of arousing interest; being attractive or something that attracts

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

a period of 100 years

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

courtesy towards women

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

surround with a cloister, as of a garden

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

deem to be

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

enter into a contractual arrangement

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

plural of “defect” — an imperfection in a bodily system

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

one or the other of two

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

divisible by two

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

coming next after the fourteenth and just before the sixteenth in position

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

a body of students who are taught together

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

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

From this reading I. WILLIAMS.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

usually used of a face

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

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

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

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

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

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 Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

engage in

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

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

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

a woman religious

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

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

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

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

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

likely but not certain to be or become true or real

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

a safe place

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

try to get or reach

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

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

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

not tense or taut

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

the environmental condition

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

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

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

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

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

not married or related to the unmarried state

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

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

From this reading TO lack beauty was a much more serious misfortune in the Middle Ages than at present.

accept gladly

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)

From this reading I. WILLIAMS.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The cloister was the refuge of the unmarried woman, if of gentle birth as a nun, if of a lower grade as a lay-sister; but the fifteenth century was an age neither of religion nor of chivalry.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Of course it was probable that there might be a contract of marriage made entirely irrespective of attractiveness, long before the development of either of the principal parties concerned; but even then the rude, open-spoken husband would consider himself absolved from any attention to an ill-favoured wife, and the free tongues of her surroundings would not be slack to make her aware of her defects.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading COLD WELCOME Seek not for others to love you, But seek yourself to love them best, And you shall find the secret true, Of love and joy and rest.