1852
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
speak to
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
addressesnounUS /ˈæˈdresɪz/
plural of “address” — (computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
anecdotesnounUS /ˈænəkdoʊts/
plural of “anecdote” — short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
CiviladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
ClaynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
combiningnounUS /kəmˈbaɪnɪŋ/
an occurrence that results in things being united
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
confineverbUS /kənˈfaɪn/
place limits on (extent or amount or access)
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
CongressmannounUS /ˈkɑːŋɡrəsmən/
a member of the United States House of Representatives
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
EulogynounUS /ˈjuːlədʒi/
a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
at any time
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
frivolitynounUS /frəˈvɑːləti/
the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
humorousadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmərəs/
full of or characterized by humor
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
informaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
LincolnnounUS /ˈlɪŋkən/
16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
Lincoln'snounUS /ˈlɪŋkənz/
possessive form of “lincoln” — 16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
mediumnounUS /ˈmiːdiəm/
a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/
of very great significance
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
something you have to do
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
and nothing more
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
an amount of time
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
presidentialadjectiveUS /ˌprezəˈdenʃəl/
relating to a president or presidency
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/
correct or appropriate behavior
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
remonstrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
responsesnounUS /rɪˈspɑːnsɪz/
plural of “response” — a result
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
serenades
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Eulogy of Henry Clay of 1852 is of interest as being the only address of this kind that Lincoln ever delivered.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Although Lincoln never hesitated to clear the discussion of the most momentous questions through the medium of a funny story, his sense of official and literary propriety made him confine them to informal occasions.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
valvenounUS /vælv/
a structure in a hollow organ (like the heart) with a flap to insure one-way flow of fluid through it
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
which person or people
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
in the company of; together with
From this reading To a Congressman, who had remonstrated with him for his apparent frivolity in combining funny stories with serious discussion, he said: "If it were not for these stories I should die."
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The addresses of the presidential period, however, with the exception of a few responses to serenades, are entirely without humorous anecdotes.
