Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

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

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

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

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

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

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

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

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

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

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

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

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

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

From this reading It is your pride or laziness, more than chair-hire, that makes the town expensive.

a state at a particular time

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

having material or physical form or substance

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

plural of “court” — an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

plural of “down” — soft fine feathers

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

capital and largest city and major port of the Irish Republic

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

one or the other of two

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

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

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

divisible by two

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

high in price or charging high prices

From this reading It is your pride or laziness, more than chair-hire, that makes the town expensive.

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

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

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

an old word meaning “to this place”

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

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

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

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

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

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

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

expressing extreme contempt

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

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

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

someone who doesn't understand what is going on

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

inactivity resulting from a dislike of work

From this reading It is your pride or laziness, more than chair-hire, that makes the town expensive.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

engage in

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading It is your pride or laziness, more than chair-hire, that makes the town expensive.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

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

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

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

From this reading It is your pride or laziness, more than chair-hire, that makes the town expensive.

a form of address for a man

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

an old word for “no”

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It is your pride or laziness, more than chair-hire, that makes the town expensive.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading It is your pride or laziness, more than chair-hire, that makes the town expensive.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

make steady progress; be at the high point in one's career or reach a high point in historical significance or importance

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

plural of “pursuit” — the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

in the near future

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

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

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

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

From this reading TO JOHN GAY _Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits_ Dublin, 4 _May_, 1732.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading It is your pride or laziness, more than chair-hire, that makes the town expensive.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading To talk of riding and walking is insulting me, for I can as soon fly as do either.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

at the time that

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

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

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

which person or people

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading I am not in a condition to make a true step even on Amesbury Downs, and I declare that a corporeal false step is worse than a political one: nay, worse than a thousand political ones, for which I appeal to courts and ministers, who hobble on and prosper without the sense of feeling.

(law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I am now as lame as when you writ your letter, and almost as lame as your letter itself, for want of that limb from my lady duchess, which you promised, and without which I wonder how it could limp hither.