used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
adroitadjectiveUS /əˈdrɔɪt/
quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
appropriateverbUS /əˈproʊpriət/
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
closenessnounUS /ˈkloʊsnɪs/
a feeling of being intimate and belonging together
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/
not invading healthy tissue
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
debateverbUS /dəˈbeɪt/
argue with one another
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
debatesnounUS /dəˈbeɪts/
plural of “debate” — a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
discussionsnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃənz/
plural of “discussion” — an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
Dred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
extemporeadjective
with little or no preparation or forethought
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
giantsnounUS /ˈdʒaɪənts/
plural of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
historicadjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪk/
belonging to the past; of what is important or famous in the past
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
informaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
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 Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
not any; not one
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
opponentnounUS /əˈpoʊnənt/
a contestant that you are matched against
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
pleadingnounUS /ˈpliːdɪŋ/
(law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
reasoningnounUS /ˈriːzənɪŋ/
thinking that is coherent and logical
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
retortnounUS /ˈriːtɔːrt/
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
righteousnessnounUS /ˈraɪtʃəsnəs/
adhering to moral principles
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
express in words
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
slaverynounUS /ˈsleɪvəri/
the state of being under the control of another person
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
SovereigntynounUS /ˈsɑːvrənti/
government free from external control
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
in or at that place or location
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In spite of the informal style appropriate to the "stump," these discussions of the Dred Scott decision, Popular Sovereignty, and the other questions suggested by slavery are marked by a closeness of reasoning and a readiness of retort that show the great master in the difficult art of debate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading These qualities are not confined to the one speaker, for his opponent was no less adroit and ready.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading We may well say in this connection, "there were giants in those days."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Although they were extempore, as far as the actual language is concerned, they have been preserved in full.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Much of Lincoln's success in these historic debates was due to his intense conviction of the righteousness of the cause for which he was pleading.
