Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

later than; following

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

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

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

large but transportable armament

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

make certain of

From this reading "Common sense might assure me of it," you reply.

plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

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

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

be in a state of movement or action

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

showing who or what does the action

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading "Common sense might assure me of it," you reply.

past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

argue or speak in defense of

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

an opposing military force

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

at any time

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

make strong or stronger

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

give surety or assume responsibility

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

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

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

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

From this reading This enemy is the storm; but, like France, he is not our _natural_ enemy.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

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

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

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

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

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

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

habitual

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

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

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

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

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Common sense might assure me of it," you reply.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading This enemy is the storm; but, like France, he is not our _natural_ enemy.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

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

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Common sense might assure me of it," you reply.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "Common sense might assure me of it," you reply.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

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

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading This enemy is the storm; but, like France, he is not our _natural_ enemy.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Common sense might assure me of it," you reply.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading "Common sense might assure me of it," you reply.

express in words

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

a general conscious awareness

From this reading "Common sense might assure me of it," you reply.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading This enemy is the storm; but, like France, he is not our _natural_ enemy.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

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

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

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

From this reading This enemy is the storm; but, like France, he is not our _natural_ enemy.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

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

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

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

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

(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 That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

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

From this reading That sounds well, but what guarantee have we that you really would act thus if France were to become so outrageous?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

in the company of; together with

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

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

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

but in spite of that

From this reading So it might, and so it would, if we had not evidence to the contrary in the fact that our country _is_ thus assailed month after month--year after year--by a more inveterate enemy than France ever was or will be, and yet how little is done to defend ourselves against his attacks, compared with what might be, with what _ought_ to be, done!

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading What!--do you say that you "would fortify every island on the coast, plant Martello towers on every flat beach, crown every height with cannon, and station iron-clads in every harbour and bay, so that the entire coast should bristle with artillery?"