Chapter XVII

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

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

later than; following

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

(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 Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

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

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

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

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

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

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

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

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

show off

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

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

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

spoiled or ruined or demolished

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

with eagerness; in an eager manner

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

divisible by two

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

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

From this reading THE FAIRY'S WAND.

a social unit living together

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

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

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

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

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

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

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

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

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

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

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

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

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

free from external control and constraint

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

go away from a place

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

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 There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

used to form the superlative

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

disregarded

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

not any; not one

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

not one, and not any

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

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

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

express in words

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

moving very fast

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

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

From this reading THE FAIRY'S WAND.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

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

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

a special situation

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

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

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

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

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

not anticipated

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

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

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

precisely as stated

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

morally reprehensible

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

a rod used by a magician or water diviner

From this reading THE FAIRY'S WAND.

a message informing of danger

From this reading But independent of these matters, neglected by the very best of us, how eagerly must many a man desire, between the warning and swift stroke of death, that he had had but a little time--a little strength to set, not, indeed, his house in order, but his desk and his note-book.

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

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

in or at the place that

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

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

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

which person or people

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Of course there are none who can boast that they are at peace with all mankind; that they leave nothing unrepented of or unatoned for; that their human affairs and social relations are exactly where they would have wished them to be.

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

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

regarded with deep or rapturous love (especially as if for a god)

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.

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

From this reading There are but few of us, I fear, who can say: "Though I should die suddenly, and at the most unlooked-for time, there will be nothing left behind me which I would have destroyed, even though I had had the opportunity."

a late time of life

From this reading What a cruel shock have many a family received, after they have lost the Head whom they have worshipped so many years, by discovering, where they looked for no such thing, _after his death_, that he had all along (as will be thought) been even such a one--_not_ as themselves, but worse--as they whom they had been taught by his own self to look upon with contempt, or at least with pity; as they who, by contrast with himself, were persons base and vile.