Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

an administrative unit of government

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

(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 By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

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

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

the power or right to give orders or make decisions

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

past form of “brave” — face and withstand with courage

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

past form of “coerce” — to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

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

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

fixed or established especially by order or command

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

plural of “decree” — a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

a public act of denouncing

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

-ing form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

plural of “department” — a specialized division of a large organization

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

divisible by two

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

found in the ordinary course of events

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

yet to be or coming

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

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

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

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

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

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

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

provoking horror

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

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

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

the power of creative imagination

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

immediately past

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

not any; not one

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

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

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

-ing form of “obliterate” — mark for deletion, rub off, or erase

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

plural of “occurrence” — an event that happens

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

and nothing more

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

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

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

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

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

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

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

precisely, exactly

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

coerce by violence or with threats

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

in or at that place or location

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

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

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

something that is a source of danger

From this reading By the agency of terror and the threat of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday life.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

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

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

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

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

in the direction of

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

a just detectable amount

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

a cruel and oppressive dictator

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

poor and often mischievous city child

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the authority of their mothers.

precisely as stated

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

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

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

which person or people

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

belonging to which person

From this reading Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise, became the master of his playfellows.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.

produce a literary work

From this reading At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle throughout France--‘Terror.’

the day immediately before today

From this reading The tribunal of public opinion, open to all, scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of ‘right’ or ‘principle’ in a people who now only lived for the passing hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.