Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)

From this reading RECANTATORY, IN REPLY TO THE FOREGOING ELEGANT ADMONITION.

-ing form of “adorn” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

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

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

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

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

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

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

show off

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

of or relating to Delphi or to the oracles of Apollo at Delphi

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

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

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

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

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading RECANTATORY, IN REPLY TO THE FOREGOING ELEGANT ADMONITION.

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

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

especially of writing or speech; going before

From this reading RECANTATORY, IN REPLY TO THE FOREGOING ELEGANT ADMONITION.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

not fake or counterfeit

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

compatibility in opinion and action

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

an instinctive motive

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

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

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

plural of “lay” — a narrative song with a recurrent refrain

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

a harp used by ancient Greeks for accompaniment

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

come together

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

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

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

third-person singular of “obey” — be obedient to

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

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

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

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

From this reading RECANTATORY, IN REPLY TO THE FOREGOING ELEGANT ADMONITION.

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

From this reading RECANTATORY, IN REPLY TO THE FOREGOING ELEGANT ADMONITION.

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

third-person singular of “select” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

superlative of “severe” — intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

a verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

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

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

plural of “sway” — controlling influence

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

the feel of a surface or a fabric

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

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

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

in spite of the fact that

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

a large gathering of people

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

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

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

-ing form of “undulate” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

characterized by variety

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

show to be right by providing justification or proof

From this reading O think! to vindicate its genuine praise Those it beseems, whose lyre a favouring impulse sways.

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

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

belonging to which person

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

in the company of; together with

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading Ye whose aspirings court the muse of lays, "Severest of those orders which belong, Distinct and separate, to Delphic song," Why shun the sonnet's undulating maze?

but in spite of that

From this reading And why its name, boast of Petrarchian days, Assume, its rules disown'd? whom from the throng The muse selects, their ear the charm obeys Of its full harmony:--they fear to wrong The sonnet, by adorning with a name Of that distinguish'd import, lays, though sweet, Yet not in magic texture taught to meet Of that so varied and peculiar frame.