1811
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1811.
21
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Newstead, August 21.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
consider or hold as true
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading "Newstead, August 21.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
comfortsnounUS /ˈkʌmfərts/
things that make you comfortable and at ease
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
conquerverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkər/
bring under control by force or authority
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
courteouslyadverb
in a polite manner
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
approval
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
in a free manner
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
hystericaladjectiveUS /hɪˈsterɪkəl/
characterized by or arising from psychoneurotic hysteria
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
the sound of laughing
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
mediationnounUS /ˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/
a negotiation to resolve differences that is conducted by some impartial party
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
MurraynounUS /ˈmɜːri/
British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
Newstead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Newstead, August 21.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
a human being
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
on the contrary
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
recoursenounUS /ˈriːkɔːrs/
act of turning to for assistance
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
Identical; not different.
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
selfishadjectiveUS /ˈselfɪʃ/
concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
selfishnessnounUS /ˈselfɪʃnəs/
stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
tolerablyadverb
in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading 'We must forget these things,' and have recourse to our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation between me and Murray.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
but in spite of that
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in excellent spirits.
