Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

speak to

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

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

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

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

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

from appearances alone

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

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

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

for the reason that

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

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

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

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

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

hold firmly and tightly

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

plural of “commentary” — a written explanation or criticism or illustration that is added to a book or other textual material

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment especially in matters of taste

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

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

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

communicated in words

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

a small town in southern Pennsylvania; site of a national cemetery

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

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

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

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

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

ten 10s

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

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

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

occurring at or characteristic of a formal investiture or induction

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

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

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

and nothing more

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

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 It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

engage in

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

a chronic progressive nervous disorder involving loss of myelin sheath around certain nerve fibers

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

superlative of “noble” — impressive in appearance

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

possessive form of “president” — an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

ordinary writing as distinguished from verse

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

restored to a new condition

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

concerned with religion or religious purposes

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

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

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

examine minutely

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

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

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading Carl Schurz compared it to a sacred poem, and all discriminating readers agree in placing it by the side of the Gettysburg Address as an almost perfect specimen of pure English prose.

a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

plural of “statesman” — a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

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

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

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

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

the act of using

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

plural of “variation” — an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

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

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading It is uncertain whether Lincoln said at the time that the address did not "scour," but if he did use such an expression it was not because of a consciousness of having failed to make adequate preparation for the occasion.

during the time that

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

cheerful compliance

From this reading Mr. Everett did not clasp the President's hand while he expressed a willingness to exchange his hundred pages for the twenty lines just read.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The address was read from MS., but with some variations that apparently occurred to the speaker at the time of delivery.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading One of the best commentaries on the Second Inaugural Address appeared in an article in the London _Spectator_: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."