Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

treat badly

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

(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 No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

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

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

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

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

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

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

third-person singular of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

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

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

show off

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

the act of closing something

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

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

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

possessive form of “conqueror” — someone who is victorious by force of arms

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

the act of conquering

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

divisible by two

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

at any time

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

lasting for a markedly brief time

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

past form of “flourish” — grow vigorously

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

without good sense or judgment

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

depressingly dark

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

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

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

feel grief

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

in a joyous manner

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

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

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

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

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

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

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

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

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

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

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

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

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

immediately past

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

a feeling of thoughtful sadness

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

used to form the superlative

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

not any; not one

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

comparative of “noble” — impressive in appearance

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

the middle of the day

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

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

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

with speed

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

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

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

a male human offspring

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

a woman's close-fitting foundation garment

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

not in physical motion

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

a person who follows next in order

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

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

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

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

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

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

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

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

From this reading No conquest ever yet begun, And by one mighty hero carried to its height, E'er flourished under a successor or a son; It lost some mighty pieces through all hands it pass'd, And vanish'd to an empty title in the last.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

at the time that

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

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

From this reading I sigh whene'er I think of it: As at the closing an unhappy scene Of some great king and conqueror's death, When the sad melancholy Muse Stays but to catch his utmost breath.

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

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.

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

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading I grieve, this nobler work, most happily begun, So quickly and so wonderfully carried on, May fall at last to interest, folly, and abuse.

the cardinal number that is the sum of ten and one

From this reading XI Alas, how fleeting and how vain Is even the nobler man, our learning and our wit!

but in spite of that

From this reading There is a noontide in our lives, Which still the sooner it arrives, Although we boast our winter sun looks bright, And foolishly are glad to see it at its height, Yet so much sooner comes the long and gloomy night.