Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

tasting or smelling like vinegar

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

later than; following

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

in addition

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

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

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

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

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

the quality of being comical

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

declare untrue; contradict

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

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

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

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

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

-ing form of “expose” — expose or make accessible to some action or influence

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions

From this reading So, too, is the sudden flirt of the scorpion's tail to sting you.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

destroyed or killed

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

third-person singular of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

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

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

someone who acts speaks or writes in an amusing way

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

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

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

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

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

the sound of laughing

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

third-person singular of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

engage in

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

as follows

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

not one, and not any

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

more often or more frequently

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

on one occasion

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

(used of decomposing oils or fats) having a rank smell or taste usually due to a chemical change or decomposition

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

express in words

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

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

From this reading So, too, is the sudden flirt of the scorpion's tail to sting you.

something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

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

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So, too, is the sudden flirt of the scorpion's tail to sting you.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

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

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort

From this reading So, too, is the sudden flirt of the scorpion's tail to sting you.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading So, too, is the sudden flirt of the scorpion's tail to sting you.

moving very fast

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading So, too, is the sudden flirt of the scorpion's tail to sting you.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

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

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

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

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

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

From this reading So, too, is the sudden flirt of the scorpion's tail to sting you.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading So, too, is the sudden flirt of the scorpion's tail to sting you.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

extraordinariness by virtue of being unexpected

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

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

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

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

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

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

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

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

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

during the time that

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading If we cannot safely deny that Swift was a humorist, we may at least say that he was one in whom humor had gone through the stage of acetous fermentation and become rancid.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading The unexpectedness of the conclusion here, after the somewhat solemn preface, is entirely of the essence of wit.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This further difference is also true: that wit makes you laugh once, and loses some of its comicality (though none of its point) with every new reading, while humor grows droller and droller the oftener we read it.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It is almost the opposite of humor in one respect--namely, that it would make us think the solemnest things in life were sham, whereas it is the sham-solemn ones which humor delights in exposing.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading So, too, is the sudden flirt of the scorpion's tail to sting you.