Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Volume 21.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

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

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

in an artful manner

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

-ing form of “buck” — to strive with determination

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

an occurrence of something

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

in a manner tending to attract attention

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

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

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

marked by speed and efficiency

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

set up or found

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

plural of “freak” — a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

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

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

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

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

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

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

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

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

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

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

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

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

in the recent past

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

go away from a place

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

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

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

superlative of “nice” — pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

plural of “nun” — a woman religious

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

invade in great numbers

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

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

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

without much difficulty

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

not in physical motion

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

dispose or incline or entice to

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

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

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

a special situation

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

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

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

a garment that covers the head and face

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading Volume 21.

past form of “vow” — make a vow; promise

From this reading Contains: The Spectacles The Bucking Tub The Impossible Thing I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

which person or people

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime.

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

From this reading Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around.