used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF TONGUES AN ESPECIAL EVIL FOR SCHOOLBOYS.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
astrayadverbUS /əˈstreɪ/
away from the right path or direction
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
BACKWARDadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading A HISTORY NOTICED WHICH IS WRITTEN BACKWARD.
BEAUMONTnounUS /ˈboʊmɔːnt/
United States surgeon remembered for his studies of digestion (1785-1853)
From this reading BEAUMONT.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading BEN JONSON.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF TONGUES AN ESPECIAL EVIL FOR SCHOOLBOYS.
DR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DR.
ESPECIALadjectiveUS /əˈspeʃəl/
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF TONGUES AN ESPECIAL EVIL FOR SCHOOLBOYS.
divisible by two
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF TONGUES AN ESPECIAL EVIL FOR SCHOOLBOYS.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF TONGUES AN ESPECIAL EVIL FOR SCHOOLBOYS.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
the act of departing
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
grammarnounUS /ˈɡræmər/
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading A HISTORY NOTICED WHICH IS WRITTEN BACKWARD.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A HISTORY NOTICED WHICH IS WRITTEN BACKWARD.
JONSONnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/
English dramatist and poet who was the first real poet laureate of England (1572-1637)
From this reading BEN JONSON.
LearntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
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 For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'Tis my venture On your retentive wisdom.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
not any; not one
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
being perceived or observed
From this reading A HISTORY NOTICED WHICH IS WRITTEN BACKWARD.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF TONGUES AN ESPECIAL EVIL FOR SCHOOLBOYS.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading 'Tis my venture On your retentive wisdom.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
plodverbUS /plɑːd/
walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
Practic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
prenticehood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
rackt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
retentiveadjective
good at remembering
From this reading 'Tis my venture On your retentive wisdom.
precisely, exactly
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
RodnounUS /rɑːd/
a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
RulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
SCHOOLBOYSnounUS /ˈskuːlbɔɪz/
plural of “schoolboy” — a boy attending school
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF TONGUES AN ESPECIAL EVIL FOR SCHOOLBOYS.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
SHEWING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
slavishadjectiveUS /ˈsleɪvɪʃ/
blindly imitative
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
From this reading 'Tis my venture On your retentive wisdom.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
TONGUESnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF TONGUES AN ESPECIAL EVIL FOR SCHOOLBOYS.
tractnounUS /trækt/
an extended area of land
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
tyrannynounUS /ˈtɪrəni/
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading 'Tis my venture On your retentive wisdom.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
at the time that
From this reading For never in the long and tedious tract Of slavish grammar was I made to plod; No tyranny of Rules my patience rackt; I served no prenticehood to any Rod; But in the freedom of the Practic way Learnt to go right, even when I went astray.
in or at the place that
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
WHEREFOREadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/
an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A HISTORY NOTICED WHICH IS WRITTEN BACKWARD.
WHITHERadverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading 'Tis my venture On your retentive wisdom.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading A WORD TO THE READER, SHEWING WHERE WE ARE, AND HOW WE CAME HERE, AND WHEREFORE; AND WHITHER WE ARE GOING.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading A HISTORY NOTICED WHICH IS WRITTEN BACKWARD.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'Tis my venture On your retentive wisdom.
