used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
abstractverbUS /æbˈstrækt/
consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
ApologynounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiː/
an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading ROBERT BROWNING, "Bishop Blougram's Apology."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
BERTRAND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
From this reading ROBERT BROWNING, "Bishop Blougram's Apology."
Blougram's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBERT BROWNING, "Bishop Blougram's Apology."
BROWNINGnounUS /ˈbraʊnɪŋ/
United States inventor of firearms (especially automatic pistols and repeating rifles and a machine gun called the Peacemaker) (1855-1926)
From this reading ROBERT BROWNING, "Bishop Blougram's Apology."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
EmbellishverbUS /ɪmˈbelɪʃ/
add details to
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
everyone's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
something many people believe that is false
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
Fool's-Paradise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I I left Oxford with a sense of oppressive loneliness.
idealizeverbUS /aɪˈdiːlaɪz/
consider or render as ideal
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
intellectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəl/
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
irrespectiveadverbUS /ˌɪrəˈspektɪv/
in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
go away from a place
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I I left Oxford with a sense of oppressive loneliness.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
life'snounUS /laɪfs/
possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
lonelinessnounUS /ˈloʊnlinəs/
the state of being alone in solitary isolation
From this reading I I left Oxford with a sense of oppressive loneliness.
engage in
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
an old word for “no”
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
not any; not one
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
not one thing; not anything
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
OAKLEIGH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading I I left Oxford with a sense of oppressive loneliness.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
OxfordnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/
a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University
From this reading I I left Oxford with a sense of oppressive loneliness.
ParadisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
plainest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading ROBERT BROWNING, "Bishop Blougram's Apology."
capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading I I left Oxford with a sense of oppressive loneliness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
a special situation
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
precisely as stated
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
accept gladly
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
which person or people
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
in the company of; together with
From this reading I I left Oxford with a sense of oppressive loneliness.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
You're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Embellish Rome, idealize away, Make Paradise of London if you can, You're welcome, nay, you're wise."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading No abstract intellectual plan of life Quite irrespective of life's plainest laws, But one, a man, who is man and nothing more, May lead within a world which (by your leave) Is Rome or London, not Fool's-Paradise.
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading BERTRAND OAKLEIGH "The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's, Is--not to fancy what were fair in life Provided it could be,--but, finding first What may be, then find how to make it fair Up to our means: a very different thing!
