AmusementnounUS /əˈmjuːzmənt/
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
attemptedadjectiveUS /əˈtemptɪd/
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
BEATTIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
bountiesnounUS /ˈbaʊntiz/
plural of “bounty” — payment or reward (especially from a government) for acts such as catching criminals or killing predatory animals or enlisting in the military
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
bowernounUS /ˈbaʊər/
a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
CharitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
ComeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
considerationnounUS /kənˌsɪdərˈeɪʃən/
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
consultsverbUS /kənˈsʌlts/
third-person singular of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
createverbUS /kriˈeɪt/
make or cause to be or to become
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
dailyadverbUS /ˈdeɪli/
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
delightsnounUS /dɪˈlaɪts/
plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
dependencenounUS /dɪˈpendəns/
the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/
an opposing military force
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
evilsnounUS /ˈiːvəlz/
plural of “evil” — morally objectionable behavior
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
expectationsnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “expectation” — belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
faminenounUS /ˈfæmən/
an acute insufficiency
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
feedsnounUS /fiːdz/
plural of “feed” — food for domestic livestock
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
followverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊ/
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
gainverbUS /ɡeɪn/
obtain
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
generositynounUS /ˌdʒenərˈɑːsəti/
the trait of being willing to give your money or time
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
gratitudenounUS /ˈɡrætətuːd/
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
habitsnounUS /ˈhæbəts/
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
haplyadverb
by accident
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
hundredsnounUS /ˈhʌndrədz/
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
imagineverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒən/
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
improveverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːv/
to make better
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
imprudentadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːdənt/
not prudent or wise
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
inducingnounUS /ˌɪnˈduːsɪŋ/
act of bringing about a desired result
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
instinctnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
may'st
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/
being nothing more than specified
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
perniciousadjectiveUS /pərˈnɪʃəs/
exceedingly harmful
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
pitynounUS /ˈpɪti/
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
pleasesverbUS /ˈpliːzɪz/
third-person singular of “please” — give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
remedynounUS /ˈremədi/
act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
slaverynounUS /ˈsleɪvəri/
the state of being under the control of another person
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
soulnounUS /soʊl/
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
submissionnounUS /səbˈmɪʃən/
something (manuscripts or architectural plans and models or estimates or works of art of all genres etc.) submitted for the judgment of others (as in a competition)
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
thousandsnounUS /ˈθaʊzəndz/
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
unreasonableadjectiveUS /ənˈriːznəbəl/
not reasonable; not showing good judgment
From this reading Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation of gratitude for her bounties, she is often exciting only unreasonable expectations, inducing habits of dependence and submission to slavery.
vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
wantverbUS /wɑːnt/
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
WarmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Warm Charity, the general friend," may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
WhilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
wisdomnounUS /ˈwɪzdəm/
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading "Come often, then; for haply in my bower Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may'st gain: If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain."--BEATTIE.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially remedy.
