Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

occurring with or following as a consequence

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

-ing form of “aim” — point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

(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 "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

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

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

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

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

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

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

United States inventor of firearms (especially automatic pistols and repeating rifles and a machine gun called the Peacemaker) (1855-1926)

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

possessive form of “browning” — United States inventor of firearms (especially automatic pistols and repeating rifles and a machine gun called the Peacemaker) (1855-1926)

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

plural of “bundle” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

a university in England

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

get or ask advice from

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

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

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

settled securely and unconditionally

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

plural of “flow” — the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

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

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

past form of “grasp” — hold firmly

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

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

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

act or move at high speed

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

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

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

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

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

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

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

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

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

plural of “improvement” — a change for the better; progress in development

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

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

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

the force of workers available

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

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

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

plural of “persona” — an actor's portrayal of someone in a play

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

giving pleasure and satisfaction

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

the quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

a state of peace and quiet

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

determined

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

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

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

plural of “sparkle” — merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

carry out

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

by that means or because of that

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

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

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

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

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

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

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

a condition in which everything is regular and unvarying

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading His life had ordered itself as seemed best to him--a life in London during the months in which the tide flows and sparkles; then summer and autumn quietude in some retreat upon the French coast.

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

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

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

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

From this reading But he was resolved to consult his own taste, to take his own way, and let popularity delay or hasten as it would--"pleasing myself," he says, "or aiming at doing so, and thereby, I hope, pleasing God."

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The Ring and the Book The publication of _Dramatis Personae_ marks an advance in Browning's growing popularity; a second edition, in which some improvements were effected, was called for in 1864, the year of its first publication.

a late time of life

From this reading The years passed in such a uniformity of work and rest, with enjoyment accompanying each of these, that they may almost be grasped in bundles.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading "All my new cultivators," Browning wrote, "are young men"; many of them belonged to Oxford and Cambridge.