used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading I am sure of that, for in a life of strange adventure I have encountered nothing so strange.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
any thing at all
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
bookishadjectiveUS /ˈbʊkɪʃ/
characterized by diligent study and fondness for reading
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
dispenseverbUS /dɪˈspens/
administer or bestow, as in small portions
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading I am sure of that, for in a life of strange adventure I have encountered nothing so strange.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
gracesnounUS /ˈɡreɪsɪz/
plural of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
grammarnounUS /ˈɡræmər/
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
set down according to a plan
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
the literary culture
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
as might be expected
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I am sure of that, for in a life of strange adventure I have encountered nothing so strange.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
and nothing more
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
opportunitiesnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/
plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
professedadjectiveUS /prəˈfest/
professing to be qualified
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
quieteradjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪətər/
comparative of “quiet” — characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I am sure of that, for in a life of strange adventure I have encountered nothing so strange.
spellingnounUS /ˈspelɪŋ/
forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
not in physical motion
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading I am sure of that, for in a life of strange adventure I have encountered nothing so strange.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading I am sure of that, for in a life of strange adventure I have encountered nothing so strange.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
express in words
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
a special situation
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The history I am called upon to tell is one which, if it were put into the hands of a professed man of letters, might be made unusually interesting.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I have spent a great part of my life in action; and though the later part of it has been quieter and more peaceful than the earlier, and though I have enjoyed opportunities of study which I never had before, I am still anything but a bookish man, and I am not at all confident about such essential matters as grammar and spelling.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading I have told my wife quite plainly that in my opinion I am as little fitted by nature for the task she has laid upon my shoulders as any man alive.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But, for my own part, the utmost I can do is to tell the thing as it happened as nearly as I can, and if I cannot command those graces of style which would come naturally to a practised pen, I can only ask that the reader will dispense with them.
