used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
consider or hold as true
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
(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 If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
alliancenounUS /əˈlaɪəns/
the state of being allied or confederated
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
react verbally
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
make certain of
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
BaldwinnounUS /ˈbɔːldwən/
United States author who was an outspoken critic of racism (1924-1987)
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
brought into existence
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
CancernounUS /ˈkænsər/
any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
Cavan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
chewverbUS /tʃuː/
chew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
COOK-MAID'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARY THE COOK-MAID'S LETTER TO DR.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
demandingadjectiveUS /dɪˈmændɪŋ/
requiring more than usually expected or thought due; especially great patience and effort and skill
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
demolishverbUS /dɪˈmɑːlɪʃ/
destroy completely
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
DR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARY THE COOK-MAID'S LETTER TO DR.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
Dundalk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading MARY THE COOK-MAID'S LETTER TO DR.
engage in
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading MARY THE COOK-MAID'S LETTER TO DR.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
a particular point in time
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
an old word for “no”
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
puffverbUS /pʌf/
smoke and exhale strongly
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
pun-talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
quadrupleverbUS /kwɑːˈdruːpəl/
increase fourfold
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
retrogradeverbUS /ˈretrəɡreɪd/
move backward in an orbit, of celestial bodies
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
scaldingverbUS /ˈskɔːldɪŋ/
-ing form of “scald” — subject to harsh criticism
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
scrubverbUS /skrʌb/
clean with hard rubbing
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
SHERIDANnounUS /ˈʃerɪdən/
Irish playwright remembered for his satirical comedies of manners (1751-1816)
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
moving very fast
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
male cat
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
an old form of “will”, used with “thou”
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading SWIFT TO SHERIDAN Poor Tom, wilt thou never accept a defiance, Though I dare you to more than quadruple alliance.
You're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You're so retrograde, sure you were born under Cancer; Must I make myself hoarse with demanding an answer?
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If this be your practice, mean scrub, I assure ye, And swear by each Fate, and your new friends, each Fury, I'll drive you to Cavan, from Cavan to Dundalk; I'll tear all your rules, and demolish your pun-talk: Nay, further, the moment you're free from your scalding, I'll chew you to bullets, and puff you at Baldwin.
