1870
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
ANGLESEYnoun
an island to the northwest of Wales
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
applicabilitynounUS /ˌæpləkəˈbɪləti/
relevance by virtue of being applicable to the matter at hand
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
associateverbUS /əˈsoʊsiət/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
AvonnounUS /ˈeɪvɑːn/
a river in southwestern England rising in Gloucestershire and flowing through Bristol to empty into the estuary of the Severn
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
bardnounUS /bɑːrd/
a lyric poet
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
BloodyadjectiveUS /ˈblʌdi/
having or covered with or accompanied by blood
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
characterizesverbUS /ˈkerəktəraɪzəz/
third-person singular of “characterize” — describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
documentsnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəmənts/
plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
dozensnounUS /ˈdʌzənz/
a large number or amount
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
ElementaryadjectiveUS /ˌeləˈmentri/
easy and not involved or complicated
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
InstructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
islenounUS /aɪl/
a small island
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
MacbethnounUS /məkˈbeθ/
king of Scotland (died in 1057)
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
Micawbernoun
fictional character created by Charles Dickens; an eternal optimist
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
a form of address for a man
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
absolutely essential
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
plagueverbUS /pleɪɡ/
cause to suffer a blight
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
putsnounUS /pʊts/
plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
quoteverbUS /kwoʊt/
repeat a passage from
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
ReturnsnounUS /rɪˈtɜːrnz/
plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
not in physical motion
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
subtilties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
TempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading What were these “Returns”?
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
universaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
vaguestadjectiveUS /ˈveɪɡɪst/
superlative of “vague” — not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to study, and there were Instructions of the vaguest kind.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading What were these “Returns”?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
the words that are spoken
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
a late time of life
From this reading In after years I became familiar with many dozens of such documents; and I used to associate them with the words which (“with that universal applicability which characterizes the bard of Avon”--to quote Mr. Micawber) Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth:
but in spite of that
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ANGLESEY “You do yet taste Some subtilties of the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain.”--_Tempest._ It next became necessary to find out what an “Inspector of Returns” had to do.
