1747
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
24
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LONDON, November 24, O. S.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
advicenounUS /ædˈvaɪs/
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
attendverbUS /əˈtend/
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
BOYnounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
concerningverbUS /kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
conclusionnounUS /kənˈkluːʒən/
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
dependsverbUS /dɪˈpendz/
third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
directlyadverbUS /dərˈektli/
without deviation
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
exertverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrt/
put to use
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
followverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊ/
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
indirectlyadverbUS /ˌɪndərˈektliː/
not in a forthright manner
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
labornounUS /ˈleɪbər/
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
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, November 24, O. S.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
necessarilyadverbUS /ˌnesəˈserəli/
in an essential manner
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/
absolutely essential
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading LONDON, November 24, O. S.
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, November 24, O. S.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
reflectionnounUS /rɪˈflekʃən/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
SnounUS /es/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading LONDON, November 24, O. S.
sakenounUS /seɪk/
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
undeniableadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈnaɪəbəl/
not possible to deny
From this reading From which two undeniable principles, the obvious and necessary conclusion is, that you ought, for your own sake, to attend to and follow my advice.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This entirely depends upon the degree of reason and reflection which you are master of, or think proper to exert.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 1747 DEAR BOY: As often as I write to you (and that you know is pretty often), so often I am in doubt whether it is to any purpose, and whether it is not labor and paper lost.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading If you give yourself time to think, and have sense enough to think right, two reflections must necessarily occur to you; the one is, that I have a great deal of experience, and that you have none: the other is, that I am the only man living who cannot have, directly or indirectly, any interest concerning you, but your own.
