Chapter XII

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

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

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

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

mother of the ancient Irish gods; sometimes identified with Danu

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

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

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading They appealed to a current taste and a sure market.

fully understood or grasped

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

a period of 100 years

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

plural of “collection” — several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

of or pertaining to or typical of Europe

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading They appealed to a current taste and a sure market.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

the act of eating dinner

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

detect with the senses

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

plural of “discourse” — extended verbal expression in speech or writing

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

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 great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

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

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

Dutch humanist and theologian who was the leading Renaissance scholar of northern Europe; although his criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church led to the Reformation, he opposed violence and condemned Martin Luther (1466-1536)

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

at any time

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

plural of “extract” — a solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

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

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

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

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

compatibility in opinion and action

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

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

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

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

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

place at intervals in or among

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

plural of “invention” — the creation of something in the mind

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

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

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

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

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

small in range or scope

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

engage in

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

plural of “maker” — a person who makes things

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold

From this reading They appealed to a current taste and a sure market.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

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

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

one of the contractile organs of the body

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

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

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

above and across; more than

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

a specialist in philosophy

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

a tart spicy quality

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

Greek biographer who wrote Parallel Lives (46?-120 AD)

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

plural of “render” — a substance similar to stucco but exclusively applied to masonry walls

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

bringing again into activity and prominence

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

relating to or characteristic of people of Rome

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

the 2nd largest city in the Netherlands; located in the western Netherlands near the North Sea

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

plural of “sally” — witty remark

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

only a very short time before

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

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

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

coming next after the fifteenth in position

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

move an implement through

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading They appealed to a current taste and a sure market.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

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

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They appealed to a current taste and a sure market.

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

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

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

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

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

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

in or at the place that

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

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

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

From this reading CONTINENTAL INFLUENCE--THE “ANA”--THE “CONVIVIAL DISCOURSES”--WHIMSICAL INVENTIONS--SHAKESPEAR JEST-BOOKS--CHANGE IN PUBLIC TASTE.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading This renders it less difficult to understand why the first makers of jest-books thought fit to intersperse their collections with choice passages from Plutarch and the rest.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.

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

From this reading The great Rotterdam wit and philosopher appreciated sallies and strokes of humour which, in a modern English club or at a modern dining table, would scarcely stir a muscle; and he almost killed himself with laughing over the _Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_, in which it is hard to discern where the peculiar piquancy ever lay.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading The influence of Erasmus, More, and a few of their illustrious contemporaries, at the revival of learning, contributed a good deal to make extracts from the ancient writers popular among the limited reading community, and to draw the literary thought of the sixteenth century into harmony for a time with that of the later Roman era.