1747
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
21
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LONDON, September 21, O. S.
8th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
absurdadjectiveUS /əbˈsɜːrd/
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
argumentsnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənts/
plural of “argument” — a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
bidsnounUS /bɪdz/
plural of “bid” — an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
blindnessnounUS /ˈblaɪndnəs/
the state of being blind or lacking sight
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
BOYnounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
CharitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
credulitynounUS /krɪˈduːləti/
tendency to believe readily
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
Einsiedlen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/
plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
forbidsverbUS /fərˈbɪdz/
third-person singular of “forbid” — command against
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
grossadjectiveUS /ɡroʊs/
before any deductions
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
guiltnounUS /ɡɪlt/
the state of having committed an offense
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
jestnounUS /dʒest/
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
laughedverbUS /læft/
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
LONDONnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading LONDON, September 21, O. S.
losingverbUS /ˈluːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
mistakesnounUS /mɪˈsteɪks/
plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
NnounUS /en/
a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
OnounUS /oʊ/
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading LONDON, September 21, O. S.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
opinionnounUS /əˈpɪnjən/
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
Papists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
persuasionsnounUS /pərˈsweɪʒənz/
plural of “persuasion” — the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
pitiedverbUS /ˈpɪtiːd/
inflected form of “pity” — share the suffering of
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
postverbUS /poʊst/
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
punishverbUS /ˈpʌnɪʃ/
impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
punishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌnɪʃt/
subjected to a penalty (as pain or shame or restraint or loss) for an offense or fault or in order to coerce some behavior (as a confession or obedience)
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
ridiculenounUS /ˈrɪdəkjuːl/
language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
SnounUS /es/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading LONDON, September 21, O. S.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading LONDON, September 21, O. S.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
sincereadjectiveUS /sɪnˈsɪr/
open and genuine; not deceitful
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
superstitionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But remember, at the same time, that errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at.
understandingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: I received, by the last post, your letter of the 8th, N. S., and I do not wonder that you are surprised at the credulity and superstition of the Papists at Einsiedlen, and at their absurd stories of their chapel.
