Chapter XXIX

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

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

(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 “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

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

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

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

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

in a vicious manner

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

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

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

plural of “counsel” — a lawyer who pleads cases in court

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

run or move very quickly or hastily

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

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

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

an abstract part of something

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

use or manipulate to one's advantage

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

start firing a weapon

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

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

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

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

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

hardy English breed of cattle raised extensively in United States

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

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

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

cruel or inhumane treatment

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

(of persons) taken advantage of

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

deeply or markedly affected or influenced

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

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

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

characterized by hard work and perseverance

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

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

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

for more time

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

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

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

engage in

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

hardened sugary exudation of various trees

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

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

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

the force of workers available

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

having or showing no mercy

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

From this reading --Milton.

a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

not any; not one

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

an advocate of the principles of monarchy

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

English leader (born in Germany) of the Royalist forces during the English Civil War (1619-1682)

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

the season of growth

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

lack of agreement or harmony

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

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

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The people, frantic at the ill-treatment they received from the Royalist garrisons at Hereford, Canon Frome and other places, rose in open insurrection.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

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

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

soldiers collectively

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

plural of “tyrant” — a cruel and oppressive dictator

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

moral weakness

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

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

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

widely or fully known

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Throughout the winter and the early spring Herefordshire was in a state of misery and unrest.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”

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

From this reading The sturdy men in the Forest of Dean, seeing their country wasted with fire and sword, their sons impressed to serve in the King’s army, and their wives and daughters brutally ill-used by the merciless troops of Rupert, and by such well-known tyrants as Lunsford and Langdale, would endure such doings no longer, and the rising of the Clubmen became a new and serious element in the strife.

but in spite of that

From this reading “He seemed For dignity composed, and high exploit, But all was false and hollow; though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low-- To vice industrious;--Yet he pleased the ear.”