Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading For my part, I thought the air never tasted so sweet as on that morning of my liberation.

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

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

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

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

plural of “apologist” — a person who argues to defend or justify some policy or institution

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

present reasons and arguments

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

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

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

the state of being under the control of a force or influence or abstract power

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

a male bound to serve without wages

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

plural of “breath” — the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

the state of being imprisoned

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

any system of principles or beliefs

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

recognize or perceive the difference

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

at any time

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

intense or sharp

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

a person who is not a serf or a slave

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

unpleasantly stern

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

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

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

plural of “herb” — a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

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

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

the act of liberating someone or something

From this reading For my part, I thought the air never tasted so sweet as on that morning of my liberation.

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 Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading For my part, I thought the air never tasted so sweet as on that morning of my liberation.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

not any; not one

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For my part, I thought the air never tasted so sweet as on that morning of my liberation.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

above and across; more than

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

an adult castrated bull of the genus Bos; especially Bos taurus

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading For my part, I thought the air never tasted so sweet as on that morning of my liberation.

plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

like better; value more highly

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

a person who is owned by someone

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

the state of being under the control of another person

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For my part, I thought the air never tasted so sweet as on that morning of my liberation.

past form of “stall” — postpone doing what one should be doing

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

plural of “subtlety” — a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading For my part, I thought the air never tasted so sweet as on that morning of my liberation.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

past form of “taste” — have flavor; taste of something

From this reading For my part, I thought the air never tasted so sweet as on that morning of my liberation.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

in or at that place or location

From this reading There never was a slave who did not prefer his dinner of herbs, earned by his own labour, to the stalled ox of luxurious captivity.

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

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading For my part, I thought the air never tasted so sweet as on that morning of my liberation.

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

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

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

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

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

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

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?

which person or people

From this reading Ingenious apologists for slavery used to argue that the slave was much happier as a bondman than a freeman, as long as the conditions of his bondage were not unendurably harsh: but no one ever knew a slave who held this creed.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading I walked slowly, drawing long breaths, that I might taste its full relish, as a connoisseur passes an exquisite and rare wine over his palate, that he may discriminate its subtleties.

in the company of; together with

From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE I was free, but what was I to do with my freedom?