Chapter II

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading _Your affectionate servant and lover_ J. Donne. [xxxiii.]

equally

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

(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 _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

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

From this reading _Your affectionate servant and lover_ J. Donne. [xxxiii.]

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

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

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

achieved or reached

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

for the reason that

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

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

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

English clergyman and metaphysical poet celebrated as a preacher (1572-1631)

From this reading _Your affectionate servant and lover_ J. Donne. [xxxiii.]

violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

be greater in scope or size than some standard

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

a title used to address dignitaries (such as ambassadors or governors); usually preceded by “Your” or “His” or “Her”

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram

From this reading _To Sir_ H. G.

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

From this reading _To Sir_ H. G.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

an old form of “has”

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

reproduce someone's behavior or looks

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

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

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

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

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading _Your affectionate servant and lover_ J. Donne. [xxxiii.]

-ing form of “knead” — make uniform

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading _Your affectionate servant and lover_ J. Donne. [xxxiii.]

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

United States poet (1869-1950)

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

the force of workers available

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

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

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

the action of people mingling and coming into contact

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

not any; not one

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

plural of “pattern” — a perceptual structure

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

the state of being without a flaw or defect

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

in the near future

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

Identical; not different.

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading _Your affectionate servant and lover_ J. Donne. [xxxiii.]

term of address for a man

From this reading _To Sir_ H. G.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

that is looked for

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

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

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

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

From this reading _To Sir_ H. G.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading _SIR_, Nature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one.

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

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading And amongst men, the other nature, Custome, hath made every minde like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we informe, or imitate.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

produce a literary work

From this reading But as he hath not presently attained to write a good hand, which hath equalled one excellent Master in his _A_, another in his _B_, much lesse he which hath sought all the excellent Masters, and imployed all his time to exceed on one Letter, because not so much an excellency of any, nor every one, as an evennesse and proportion, and respect to one another gives the perfection: so is no man vertuous by particular example.

being three more than thirty

From this reading _Your affectionate servant and lover_ J. Donne. [xxxiii.]

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _Your affectionate servant and lover_ J. Donne. [xxxiii.]