Chapter III

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

From this reading (11 o’clock) Here comes your letter!

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

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

later than; following

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

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

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

eagerly desirous

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

plural of “argument” — a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

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

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

third-person singular of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

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

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

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

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

comparative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

be in contradiction with

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

English general and statesman who led the parliamentary army in the English Civil War (1599-1658)

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

dearly loved

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

a person who dissents from some established policy

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

opinion or judgment

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

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

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

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

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

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

From this reading (11 o’clock) Here comes your letter!

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

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

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

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

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

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

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

a small island

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

go away from a place

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading (11 o’clock) Here comes your letter!

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

a form of address for a man

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

not any; not one

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

according to the clock

From this reading (11 o’clock) Here comes your letter!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

many times at short intervals

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

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

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

to say, state, or perform again

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

a mild rebuke or criticism

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

change to the contrary

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

except for; apart from

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

in a serious manner

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

plural of “siren” — a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

possessive form of “smith” — Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

be standing; be upright

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

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

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

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

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

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

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

not liable to error

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

producing little or no profit or gain

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

plural of “vow” — a solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

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

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.

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

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

used to ask for information about something

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading And sometimes I help out their arguments by a touch or two, after Ogniben’s fashion—it all seems so wearisomely unprofitable; what comes of Smith’s second thought if you change his first—out of _that_ second will branch as great an error, you may be sure!

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading Smith thinks Cromwell a canting villain,—Brown believes no dissenter can be saved,—and I repeat Goethe’s ‘Be it your unerring rule, ne’er to contradict a fool, for if folly choose to brave you, all your wisdom cannot save you!’

in the company of; together with

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

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

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘Vows and promises!’—I want to leave society for the Sirens’ isle,—and _now_, I _often seriously reproach_ myself with conduct quite the reverse of what you would guard against: I have too much _indifferentism_ to the opinions of Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown—by no means am anxious to have his notions agree with mine.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading More than enough of this—but I was anxious to stand clearer in your dear eyes.