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 I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

bring an accusation against; level a charge against

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

later than; following

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

a cherished desire

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

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

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

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

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

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

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

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

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

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

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

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

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

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

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

-ing form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

utter or proclaim insistently and noisily

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

one of the large landmasses of the earth

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

without stop or interruption

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

complete and wholehearted fidelity

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

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

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

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

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

an analytic or interpretive literary composition

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

granted exemption

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

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

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

usually; as a rule

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

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

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

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

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

the lack of knowledge or education

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

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

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

a city in western Switzerland; cultural and commercial center

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

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

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

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

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

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

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

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 The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

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

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

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

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

a regular customer

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

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

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

rebuffed (by a lover) without warning

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

-ing form of “repudiate” — cast off

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

Identical; not different.

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

express in words

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

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

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

unusual or striking

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

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

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

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

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

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

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading I should have been more consistent had I rejected Mallet's advice, of prefixing an English dedication to a French book; a confusion of tongues that seemed to accuse the ignorance of my patron.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

the act of using

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.

a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

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

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

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

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But I should have escaped some Anti-gallican clamour, had I been content with the more natural character of an English author.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

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

From this reading After my return to England I continued the same practice, without any affectation, or design of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would say) my vernacular idiom.

produce a literary work

From this reading At Lausanne I composed the first chapters of my Essay in French, the familiar language of my conversation and studies, in which it was easier for me to write than in my mother tongue.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading The use of a foreign dialect might be excused by the hope of being employed as a negociator, by the desire of being generally understood on the continent; but my true motive was doubtless the ambition of new and singular fame, an Englishman claiming a place among the writers of France.