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Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The words are general.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
ConstitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/
law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
contractverbUS /ˈkɑːntrækt/
enter into a contractual arrangement
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
contractsnounUS /ˈkɑːntrækts/
plural of “contract” — a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
doctrinenounUS /ˈdɑːktrən/
a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
yet to be or coming
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The words are general.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
impairverbUS /ˌɪmˈper/
make worse or less effective
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
impairingverbUS /ˌɪmˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “impair” — make worse or less effective
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
limitationnounUS /ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃən/
a principle that limits the extent of something
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
not any; not one
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
go across or through
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
submittedverbUS /səbˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The States can pass no law impairing contracts; that is, any contract.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The words are general.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
except if; if not
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The words being general, it is for the other side to show a limitation; and this, it is submitted, they have wholly failed to do, unless they shall have established the doctrine that the law itself is part of the contract.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading In the nature of things a law may impair a future contract, and therefore such contract is within the protection of the Constitution.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The words are general.
