used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
admirableadjectiveUS /ˈædmərəbəl/
deserving of the highest esteem or admiration
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
AlcottnounUS /ˈælkɑːt/
United States novelist noted for children's books (1832-1888)
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
argueverbUS /ˈɑːrɡjuː/
present reasons and arguments
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
assents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
assignverbUS /əˈsaɪn/
give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
avoidancenounUS /əˈvɔɪdəns/
deliberately avoiding; keeping away from or preventing from happening
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
for the reason that
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
beliefsnounUS /bɪˈliːfs/
plural of “belief” — any cognitive content held as true
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
cherishverbUS /ˈtʃerɪʃ/
be fond of; be attached to
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could argue well, when he wanted to.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
Emerson'snounUS /ˈemərsənz/
possessive form of “emerson” — United States writer and leading exponent of transcendentalism (1803-1882)
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
enforcedadjectiveUS /enˈfɔːrst/
forced or compelled or put in force
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
exposesnounUS /ɪkˈspoʊzɪz/
plural of “expose” — the exposure of an impostor or a fraud
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
forma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
fugitivenounUS /ˈfjuːdʒətɪv/
someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could argue well, when he wanted to.
humilitynounUS /hjuːˈmɪlɪti/
a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
inabilitynounUS /ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/
lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
inconsistencynounUS /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsi/
the relation between propositions that cannot both be true at the same time
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
journalsnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrnəlz/
plural of “journal” — a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
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 these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
maskverbUS /mæsk/
hide under a false appearance
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
MassachusettsnounUS /ˌmæsəˈtʃuːsəts/
a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
the force of workers available
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
used to form the superlative
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
Newman'snounUS /ˈnuːmənz/
possessive form of “newman” — United States film actor (born in 1925)
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
not any; not one
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
notionaladjectiveUS /ˈnoʊʃənəl/
not based on fact; existing only in the imagination
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
pauperis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
pistareen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
pleanounUS /pliː/
a humble request for help from someone in authority
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
policynounUS /ˈpɑːləsi/
a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
on the contrary
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
shrewdnessnounUS /ˈʃruːdnəs/
intelligence manifested by being astute (as in business dealings)
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
a person who is owned by someone
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
subtleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌtəl/
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
taxesnounUS /ˈtæksəz/
plural of “tax” — charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
ThoreaunounUS /θərˈoʊ/
United States writer and social critic (1817-1862)
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading It is a mask of humility covering a subtle policy: a plea in confession and avoidance: a throwing off of responsibility _in forma pauperis_.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But Emerson’s profession of inability to argue need not be accepted too literally.
unreasonableness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He could argue well, when he wanted to.
(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 He could argue well, when he wanted to.
at the time that
From this reading He could argue well, when he wanted to.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading No doubt most men cherish deep beliefs for which they can assign no reasons: “real assents,” rather than “notional assents,” in Newman’s phrase.
which person or people
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading In these journals, for example, he exposes, with admirable shrewdness, the unreasonableness and inconsistency of Alcott, Thoreau, and others, who refused to pay taxes because Massachusetts enforced the fugitive slave law: “As long as the state means you well, do not refuse your pistareen.
