used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Nevertheless, strange to say, the Christians of that province hated him, and spread scandalous stories about him.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
subject to appointment
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
austereadjectiveUS /ɔːˈstɪr/
severely simple
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
have
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
brethrennounUS /ˈbreðrən/
(plural) the lay members of a male religious order
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
ChristiansnounUS /ˈkrɪstʃənz/
plural of “christian” — a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
From this reading Nevertheless, strange to say, the Christians of that province hated him, and spread scandalous stories about him.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
without stop or interruption
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
currentlyadverbUS /ˈkɜːrəntli/
at this time or period; now
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
dedicatedadjectiveUS /ˈdedəkeɪtəd/
devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
economynounUS /ɪˈkɑːnəmi/
the system of production and distribution and consumption
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
EventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
the head of a state government
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading Nevertheless, strange to say, the Christians of that province hated him, and spread scandalous stories about him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
idlenessnounUS /ˈaɪdəlnəs/
having no employment
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
inwardlyadverbUS /ˈɪnwərdli/
with respect to private feelings
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
meaninglessadjectiveUS /ˈmiːnɪŋləs/
having no meaning or direction or purpose
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
moderationnounUS /ˌmɑːdərˈeɪʃən/
quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, strange to say, the Christians of that province hated him, and spread scandalous stories about him.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
not any; not one
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
orderlinessnounUS /ˈɔːrdərlinəs/
the quality of appreciating method and system
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
practicesnounUS /ˈpræktəsəz/
plural of “practice” — a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
profligatenounUS /ˈprɔːflɪɡeɪt/
a dissolute man in fashionable society
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
provincenounUS /ˈprɑːvəns/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
richesnounUS /ˈrɪtʃəz/
an abundance of material possessions and resources
From this reading But, no—duty compelled him to bear the burden of meaningless riches and idleness and pleasure.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
rulershipnoun
the position of ruler
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
sackclothnoun
a garment made of coarse sacking; formerly worn as an indication of remorse
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
express in words
From this reading Nevertheless, strange to say, the Christians of that province hated him, and spread scandalous stories about him.
scandalousadjectiveUS /ˈskændələs/
giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation
From this reading Nevertheless, strange to say, the Christians of that province hated him, and spread scandalous stories about him.
sectsnounUS /sekts/
plural of “sect” — a subdivision of a larger religious group
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
severities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Nevertheless, strange to say, the Christians of that province hated him, and spread scandalous stories about him.
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 Nevertheless, strange to say, the Christians of that province hated him, and spread scandalous stories about him.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Nevertheless, strange to say, the Christians of that province hated him, and spread scandalous stories about him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
be dressed in
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
in or at the place that
From this reading Eventually, he was appointed governor of a Roman province, where he distinguished himself in a quiet way by the economy and orderliness of his rulership, and by a moderation of the severities currently practised against new sects.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading He wished that he could go to the desert, and wear sackcloth, and go hungry, like his more fortunate brethren.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “He continued to live, in outward seeming, the ordinary life of a young Roman profligate, while inwardly his heart was dedicated to the austere practices of virtue.
