Chapter I

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

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

deserving of the highest esteem or admiration

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

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

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

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

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

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

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

third-person singular of “attain” — to gain with effort

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

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

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole

From this reading Such a printer was _William Blades_.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

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

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

confer dignity or honor upon

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

make understand

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

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

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

a work produced by hand labor

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

in a subordinate position

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

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

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

moving with great haste

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

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

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

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

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

the literary culture

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

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 To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

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

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

not any; not one

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

plural of “press” — the state of demanding notice or attention

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

someone whose occupation is printing

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

text handwritten in the style of printed matter

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

a humorous play on words

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

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

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

financial aid provided to a student on the basis of academic merit

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such a printer was _William Blades_.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

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

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading It is the more admirable, therefore, when a successful printer attains to a degree of scholarship--particularly scholarship in matters that enlighten and dignify his own handicraft.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

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

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

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

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

precisely as stated

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

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

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

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

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

at the time that

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

make a soft swishing sound

From this reading To-day, amid the whirr of many presses, and the hurrying to and fro of the printing office, the printer finds little or no time for literary pursuits, despite the fact that printing is, in very truth, the handmaid of literature.

which person or people

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.

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

From this reading Such a printer was _William Blades_.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading In the good old days when printing was better recognized as a mystery than as an art, one could call a printer 'a man of letters' without being guilty of a pun.

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

From this reading Books were for the few then, and the man who would print them must be somewhat of a scholar himself.