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 It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

(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 In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

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

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

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

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

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

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

without missing a year

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

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

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

exceedingly harmful

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

financial assistance in time of need

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

deprive somebody of something by deceit

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

erosion by chemical action

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading Let it be such that the labor and difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest necessity.

command with authority

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

past form of “evade” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

-ing form of “evade” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading Let it be such that the labor and difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest necessity.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

promote over another

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

set up or found

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

highest in quality

From this reading Let it be such that the labor and difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest necessity.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

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

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

plural of “individual” — a human being

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

-ing form of “injure” — cause injuries or bodily harm to

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins

From this reading Let it be such that the labor and difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest necessity.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading Let it be such that the labor and difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest necessity.

set down according to a plan

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let it be such that the labor and difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest necessity.

the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

with respect to material aspects

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

and nothing more

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

(sometimes followed by “to”) causing harm or injury

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

a local tax on property (usually used in the plural)

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Let it be such that the labor and difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest necessity.

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

levy a tax on

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Let it be such that the labor and difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest necessity.

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

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

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

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

except if; if not

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

an exorbitant or unlawful rate of interest

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

precisely as stated

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading It seems as though we are never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county, for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made setting a limit to the rates of usury.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which might be very easily evaded.

during the time that

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading A law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended effect.