1778
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
4th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
anniversarynounUS /ˌænəˈvɜːrsəri/
the date on which an event occurred in some previous year (or the celebration of it)
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
CandlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
celebrationnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃən/
a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
ConsiderationsnounUS /kənˌsɪdərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “consideration” — the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
country'snounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
possessive form of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
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 The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
ExcessiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsesɪv/
beyond normal limits
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
Forbearverb
refrain from doing
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
foresawverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsɔː/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
IlluminatingadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtɪŋ/
tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
IndependencenounUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/
freedom from control or influence of another or others
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
InduceverbUS /ˌɪnˈduːs/
cause to arise
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
LancasternounUS /ˈlænkæstər/
a city in northwestern England
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
the force of workers available
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
nation'snounUS /ˈneɪʃənz/
possessive form of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
OLD-TIMEadjective
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
and nothing more
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
patriotismnounUS /ˈpeɪtriətɪzəm/
love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
patriotsnounUS /ˈpeɪtriəts/
plural of “patriot” — one who loves and defends his or her country
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
PennsylvaniansnounUS /ˌpensɪlˈveɪniənz/
plural of “pennsylvanian” — from 310 million to 280 million years ago; warm climate; swampy land
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
PhiladelphianounUS /ˌfɪləˈdelfiə/
the largest city in Pennsylvania; located in the southeastern part of the state on the Delaware river; site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; site of the University of Pennsylvania
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
programmenounUS /ˈproʊɡræm/
an announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
publiclyadverbUS /ˈpʌblɪkli/
in a manner accessible to or observable by the public; openly
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
RecommendverbUS /ˌrekəˈmend/
push for something
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
ScarcitynounUS /ˈskersɪti/
a small and inadequate amount
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
seventyadjectiveUS /ˈsevənti/
being ten more than sixty
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The patriotism awakened by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was active as this second anniversary of our nation’s birth approached, and sturdy Pennsylvanians, glad of our country’s freedom from English rule, planned a Fourth of July celebration.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
tumultnounUS /ˈtuːməlt/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading “The Excessive Heat of the Weather, the Present Scarcity of Candles, and Other Considerations, Induce the Council to Recommend to the Inhabitants to Forbear Illuminating the City on Saturday Evening Next, July 4th.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Upon the first day of July the Council discussed the matter and passed this resolution, which they publicly posted:
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading In Lancaster, less than seventy miles from Philadelphia, the wise men of the town council foresaw waste and tumult if the young patriots carried out the programme they had arranged.
a late time of life
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY American Independence was young in 1778,—only two years old.
