Chapter XV

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

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

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

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

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

a youthful male person

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

make or cause to be or to become

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

third-person singular of “deserve” — be worthy or deserving

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Did you really promise him a guinea, James?

refuse to acknowledge

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

past form of “endorse” — be behind; approve of

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

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

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

(comparative of “fine”) greater in quality or excellence

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

a former British gold coin worth 21 shillings

From this reading Did you really promise him a guinea, James?

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

-ing form of “hector” — be bossy towards

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Did you really promise him a guinea, James?

characterized by enmity or ill will

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

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

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

an irritating cutaneous sensation that produces a desire to scratch

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

engage in

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

the force of workers available

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

in your mind

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

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

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

works for an expert to learn a trade

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading Did you really promise him a guinea, James?

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Did you really promise him a guinea, James?

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

precisely, exactly

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

cut with a saw

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

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

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

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

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

in an unjust manner

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

lacking in sympathy and kindness

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

without good sense or judgment

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

precisely as stated

From this reading I never saw you act so unkindly before, nor so unwisely; for people are very much as they are treated.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

lessen the strength of

From this reading To disregard the finer feelings is to weaken them, and to be unjustly severe is to create an itching for that course which deserves it.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading You have smitten on the head some feeling that might have contributed to right character, and helped to make the boy reckless as well as hostile.

at the time that

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

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

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading 'Severity,' said Dr. Johnson, 'may be the way to govern men, but it is not the way to mend them,'--a sentiment which the wife of Stauncy mentally endorsed, as she listened to her husband's hectoring; and when he had closed the door on the 'prentice, she said, 'That was not like you, James.