1573
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
brought into existence
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
CambridgenounUS /ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ/
a university in England
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
DonnenounUS /dʌn/
English clergyman and metaphysical poet celebrated as a preacher (1572-1631)
From this reading Donne--Hall--Fuller.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
ecclesiastics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
educatedadjectiveUS /ˈedʒəkeɪtɪd/
possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
eminentadjectiveUS /ˈemənənt/
standing above others in quality or position
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
enforceverbUS /enˈfɔːrs/
ensure observance of laws and rules
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
FullernounUS /ˈfʊlər/
United States jurist and chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1833-1910)
From this reading Donne--Hall--Fuller.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Donne--Hall--Fuller.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
for this reason
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
humoristsnounUS /ˈhjuːmərɪsts/
plural of “humorist” — someone who acts speaks or writes in an amusing way
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
illustrateverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪt/
clarify by giving an example of
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
indelicateadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdelɪkət/
in violation of good taste even verging on the indecent
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
instructionnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
a message describing how something is to be done
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
the force of workers available
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
overlookverbUS /ˈoʊvərlʊk/
look past, fail to notice
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
OxfordnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/
a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
PleasantrynounUS /ˈplezəntri/
an agreeable or amusing remark
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
profaneadjectiveUS /proʊˈfeɪn/
characterized by profanity or cursing
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
quaintnessnoun
the quality of being quaint and old-fashioned
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
raisesnounUS /ˈreɪzəz/
plural of “raise” — the amount a salary is increased
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading Donne was born in 1573, in London, and was educated, as was not then uncommon, first at Oxford, and then at Cambridge.
unfittingadjective
not in keeping with what is correct or proper
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Hence their sober quaintness never raises a laugh, much less does it border upon the profane or indelicate.
vehiclenounUS /ˈviːhɪkəl/
a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Pleasantry was with them little more than a vehicle of instruction; the object was not to entertain, but to enforce and illustrate their moral sentiments.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Already we have seen that some of our earliest humorists were ecclesiastics, and it would be unfitting that we should here overlook three eminent men, Donne, Hall, and Fuller.
