used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
(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 For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
antagonismnounUS /ænˈtæɡənɪzəm/
a state of deep-seated ill-will
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
associateverbUS /əˈsoʊsiət/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
ChristendomnounUS /ˈkrɪsəndəm/
the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia)
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
confessors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
existingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
presently existing
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
fathomless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
set up or found
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
foundersnounUS /ˈfaʊndərz/
plural of “founder” — inflammation of the laminated tissue that attaches the hoof to the foot of a horse
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
a state of high honor
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
grappledverbUS /ˈɡræpəld/
past form of “grapple” — succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
ten 10s
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
social deportment
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
martyrsnounUS /ˈmɑːrtərz/
plural of “martyr” — one who suffers for the sake of principle
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
nominaladjectiveUS /ˈnɑːmənəl/
relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
reigningadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
exercising power or authority
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
republicnounUS /riˈpʌblək/
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
sovereignadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːv.rən/
Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
sublimeadjectiveUS /səˈblaɪm/
inspiring awe
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
superficialadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃəl/
concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
precisely as stated
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
in or at the place that
From this reading Never was there a community where the roots of common life shot down so deeply, and were so intensely grappled around things sublime and eternal.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
which person or people
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading The founders of it were a body of confessors and martyrs, who turned their backs on the whole glory of the visible to found in the wilderness a republic of which the God of heaven and earth should be the sovereign power.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They who would fully understand the springs which moved the characters with whom we now associate must go down with us to the very depths.
produce a literary work
From this reading WE have said before, what we now repeat, that it is impossible to write a story of New England life and manners for superficial thought or shallow feeling.
a late time of life
From this reading For the first hundred years grew this community, shut out by a fathomless ocean from the existing world, and divided by an antagonism not less deep from all the reigning ideas of nominal Christendom.
