used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
for the reason that
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
cherishedadjectiveUS /ˈtʃerɪʃt/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
contendingverbUS /kənˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “contend” — maintain or assert
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
countrymennounUS /ˈkʌntrimɪn/
plural of “countryman” — a man from your own country
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
dedicationnounUS /ˌdedəˈkeɪʃən/
complete and wholehearted fidelity
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
in a gradual manner
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
imperativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈperətɪv/
requiring attention or action
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
intensifiedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtensəfaɪd/
made more intense
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
libertiesnounUS /ˈlɪbərtiːz/
plural of “liberty” — immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
MiltonnounUS /ˈmɪltən/
English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
obligationsnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “obligation” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
overrideverbUS /ˈoʊvərraɪd/
rule against
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
PAMPHLETSnounUS /ˈpæmfləts/
plural of “pamphlet” — a small book usually having a paper cover
From this reading PAMPHLETS.
participationnounUS /pɑːrˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
the act of sharing in the activities of a group
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
literature in metrical form
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
purposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
renouncedverbUS /rɪˈnaʊnst/
past form of “renounce” — give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
speculatingverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
stagesnounUS /ˈsteɪdʒəz/
plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So imperative did he regard this claim that he allowed it to override the purposed dedication of his life to poetry.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
unhappinessnounUS /ənˈhæpinɪs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had renounced a cherished scheme of travel because his countrymen were engaged at home in contending for their liberties, and it could not but be that the gradually intensified stages of that struggle engrossed his interest, and claimed his participation.
the act of creating written works
From this reading We have now seen Milton engaged in teaching and writing on education, involved in domestic unhappiness, and speculating on the obligations of marriage.
a late time of life
From this reading But neither of these topics formed the principal occupation of his mind during these years.
