Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

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

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

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

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

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

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

having a base

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

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

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

an occurrence of something

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

rid of obstructions

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

including all or everything

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

past form of “conspire” — engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

power to direct or determine

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

restrained or managed or kept within certain bounds

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

not carefully or expertly made

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

a particular society at a particular time and place

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

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

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

detect with the senses

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

divisible by two

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

an act that fails

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

feelings of great warmth and intensity

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

the act of giving

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

the body of people who are citizens of a particular government

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

responsible for making and enforcing rules and laws

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

not capable of being carried out or put into practice

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

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

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

plural of “institution” — an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

third-person singular of “involve” — connect closely and often incriminatingly

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

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

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

bad; unfortunate

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

kept in good condition

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

activity involved in maintaining something in good working order

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

designed to deceive or mislead either deliberately or inadvertently

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

not any; not one

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

go across or through

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

without much difficulty

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

a member of the Republican Party

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

Identical; not different.

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

government of a political unit by its own people

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

in the near future

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

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

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

in or at that place or location

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

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

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

a special situation

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

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

From this reading This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

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

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

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

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.

in a visible manner

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

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

From this reading Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

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

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

at the time that

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

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

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as "republican institutions," and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading To us of to-day it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled.