Chapter XVI

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

From this reading A Berkshire Boar, and not a Jew?

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

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

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

From this reading “Churches!--ay, there the question grapples, No, Bess, the Jews will go to Chappell’s!”

plural of “barber” — United States composer (1910-1981)

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

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

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

plural of “beard” — the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

a county in southern England

From this reading A Berkshire Boar, and not a Jew?

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

From this reading “Churches!--ay, there the question grapples, No, Bess, the Jews will go to Chappell’s!”

to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

a state of extreme happiness

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

Old World wild swine having a narrow body and prominent tusks from which most domestic swine come; introduced in United States

From this reading A Berkshire Boar, and not a Jew?

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

plural of “cellar” — the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

a place of worship that has its own altar

From this reading “To chapel--well--what’s that to you?

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

From this reading “Churches!--ay, there the question grapples, No, Bess, the Jews will go to Chappell’s!”

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

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

plural of “church” — one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

of or relating or belonging to a city

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

with equanimity

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

plural of “dweller” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

a shape that spreads outward

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

a sudden intense happening

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

-ing form of “fume” — be mad, angry, or furious

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

plural of “grapple” — a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope

From this reading “Churches!--ay, there the question grapples, No, Bess, the Jews will go to Chappell’s!”

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

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

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

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

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

the lack of knowledge or education

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

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

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

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

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties

From this reading A Berkshire Boar, and not a Jew?

plural of “jew” — a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

(Old Testament) the Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites from Egypt across the Red sea on a journey known as the Exodus; Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

not any; not one

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

plural of “perch” — support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading “Churches!--ay, there the question grapples, No, Bess, the Jews will go to Chappell’s!”

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

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

a small piece of cloth or paper

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

a small amount of liquid food

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

plural of “synagogue” — (Judaism) the place of worship for a Jewish congregation

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

carry out

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “To chapel--well--what’s that to you?

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

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

in or at that place or location

From this reading “Churches!--ay, there the question grapples, No, Bess, the Jews will go to Chappell’s!”

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

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

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

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

(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 “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

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

From this reading “To chapel--well--what’s that to you?

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “Churches!--ay, there the question grapples, No, Bess, the Jews will go to Chappell’s!”

in the company of; together with

From this reading Whether they go with beards like Moses, Or barbers take them by the noses, Whether they live, permitted dwellers, In Cheapside shops, or Rag Fair cellars, Or climb their way to civic perches, Or go to synagogues or churches?”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Well,” quoth the Sow, “and no great miss, I’m sure my ignorance is bliss; Contentedly I bite and sup, And never let my flare flare-up; Whilst you get wild and fuming hot-- What matters Jews be Jews or not?