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 This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the every-day news of the times.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

equally

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

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

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

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

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

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

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

used as intensifiers

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

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

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

the act of burning something

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the every-day news of the times.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the every-day news of the times.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

plural of “court” — an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

declare untrue; contradict

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

your usual mood

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

refuse to acknowledge

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

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

From this reading Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the every-day news of the times.

a person responsible for the administration of a business

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the every-day news of the times.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

plural of “habit” — an established custom

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

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

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

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

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

becoming greater or larger

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

a rude expression intended to offend or hurt

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

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

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

a state in southern United States on the Gulf of Mexico; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

United States poet (1869-1950)

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

plural of “mob” — a disorderly crowd of people

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

information about recent and important events

From this reading Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the every-day news of the times.

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

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

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

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

plural of “outrage” — a feeling of righteous anger

From this reading Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the every-day news of the times.

plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

third-person singular of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

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

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

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

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

the season of growth

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

make steady

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

plural of “sun” — the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

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

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana;--they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states.

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

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the every-day news of the times.

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

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

a crime less serious than a felony

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

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

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits.--Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.

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

From this reading This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth and an insult to our intelligence to deny.