217
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
222
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Works_, viii.222.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
accumulationsnounUS /əˌkjuːmjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “accumulation” — an increase by natural growth or addition
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
apologynounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiː/
an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
avaricenounUS /ˈæv.ər.ɪs/
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(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 was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
charitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
detestableadjective
offensive to the mind
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/
A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
distributionnounUS /ˌdɪstrəˈbjuːʃən/
(statistics) an arrangement of values of a variable showing their observed or theoretical frequency of occurrence
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
economynounUS /ɪˈkɑːnəmi/
the system of production and distribution and consumption
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
encroachverbUS /ɪnˈkroʊtʃ/
advance beyond the usual limit
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
excludeverbUS /ɪkˈskluːd/
prevent from being included or considered or accepted
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
expensenounUS /ɪkˈspens/
amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
frugaladjectiveUS /ˈfruːɡəl/
avoiding waste
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
liberaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪbɜːrəl/
showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
merelyadverbUS /ˈmɪrli/
and nothing more
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/
absolutely essential
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
offensiveadjectiveUS /əˈfensɪv/
violating or tending to violate or offend against
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
parsimonynounUS /ˈpɑːrsəmoʊni/
extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
practicenounUS /ˈpræktəs/
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
principlenounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
rememberedverbUS /rɪˈmembərd/
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
ridiculousadjectiveUS /rɪˈdɪkjələs/
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
savedadjectiveUS /seɪvd/
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
sufferedverbUS /ˈsʌfərd/
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
SwiftadjectiveUS /swɪft/
moving very fast
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
viiinoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one
From this reading _Works_, viii.222.
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.'
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading [217] 'In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.
WorksnounUS /wɜːrks/
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading _Works_, viii.222.
