Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

a biography of yourself

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

exhale hard

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

-ing form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

gathered together or made less diffuse

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

expressing much in few words

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

having or marked by confidence or assurance

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

declare untrue; contradict

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

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

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

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

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

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

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

impressive in appearance

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

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

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

subject to death

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

used to form the superlative

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

not one and not the other of two

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

not any; not one

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

on one occasion

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

a fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

by chance

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

-ing form of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

a feeling of pride in yourself

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

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

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

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

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading HOME, ("sweet home,")--in his Douglas--gives, perhaps, one of the most concise and concentrated specimens extant, of this species of composition.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

proclaim on, or as if on, a trumpet

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

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

From this reading "Let the neighbors smell ve has something respectable for once."

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading Although a mere cock-boat in comparison with these first-rates, I think I may safely follow in their wake.

widely or fully known

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

used to ask for information about something

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."

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

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

the act of creating written works

From this reading There is certainly no style of writing requiring so much modest assurance as autobiography; a position which, I am confident, neither Lord Cherbury, nor Vidocq, or any other mortal blessed with an equal developement of the organ of self-esteem, can or could deny.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading With what an imposing air does his youthful hero blow his own trumpet in those well-known lines, commencing, "My name is Norval."