adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
adaptverbUS /əˈdæpt/
make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
addressverbUS /ˈædres/
speak to
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
afterwardadverbUS /ˈæftərwərd/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
argumentsnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənts/
plural of “argument” — a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
associationnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
blunderverbUS /ˈblʌndər/
commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
blundersnounUS /ˈblʌndərz/
plural of “blunder” — an embarrassing mistake
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
BROGUEnoun
a thick and heavy shoe
From this reading THE BROGUE.
bullsnounUS /bʊlz/
plural of “bull” — uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
capacitiesnounUS /kəˈpæsətiz/
plural of “capacity” — capability to perform or produce
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
castverbUS /kæst/
put or send forth
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
comicadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪk/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
IrishnounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃ/
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
mindsnounUS /maɪndz/
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
mistakenadjectiveUS /mɪˈsteɪkən/
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
MuchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
perverseadjectiveUS /pərˈvɜːrs/
marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
repeatedadjectiveUS /rɪˈpiːtɪd/
recurring again and again
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
satisfiedadjectiveUS /ˈsætəsfaɪd/
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
speechesnounUS /ˈspiːtʃəz/
plural of “speech” — the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
syllogismnoun
deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BROGUE.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
tonenounUS /toʊn/
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
torturingadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərɪŋ/
extremely painful
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
understandingsnounUS /ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋz/
plural of “understanding” — the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
utteredadjectiveUS /ˈʌtərd/
communicated in words
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
vulgaradjectiveUS /ˈvʌlɡər/
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
wastenounUS /weɪst/
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading It may be waste of time to address ourselves to persons of such a cast; we shall therefore change our ground, and adapt our arguments to the level of vulgar capacities.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading The first Irish blunders that we hear are made or repeated in this peculiar tone, and afterward, from the power of association, whenever we hear the tone we expect the blunder.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Much of the comic effect of Irish bulls, or of such speeches as are mistaken for bulls, has depended upon the tone, or _brogue_, as it is called, with which they are uttered.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
yieldverbUS /jiːld/
be the cause or source of
From this reading Having proved by a perfect syllogism that the Irish must blunder, we might rest satisfied with our labours; but there are minds of so perverse a sort, that they will not yield their understandings to the torturing power of syllogism.
