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 Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

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

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

of short duration or distance

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

plural of “comedy” — light and humorous drama with a happy ending

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

having lost your job

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

the quality of lacking taste and refinement

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

in a joyous manner

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading I.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

impressiveness in scale or proportion

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

plural of “printer” — someone whose occupation is printing

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

the act of doing or performing again

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Grossness of language--the phrase is an assumption--is a matter of time and place, a relative matter altogether.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

marked by diversity or difference

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading VOL.

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

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

(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 Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

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

From this reading The first is a stupid question, which may be happily dismissed with brief ceremony.

comparative of “wide” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty Before repeating such known facts of Congreve's life as seem agreeable to the present occasion, and before attempting (with the courage of one's office) to indicate with truth what manner of man he was, and what are the varying qualities of his four comedies, it seems well to discuss and have done with two questions, obviously pertinent indeed, but of a wider scope than the works of any one writer.