Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

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

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

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

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

plural of “association” — a formal organization of people or groups of people

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

overtaken by night or darkness

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

plural of “black” — the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

courtesy towards women

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

adapt in the name of Christianity

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

having a high state of culture and development both social and technological

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

the coloring of a person's face

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

a bounded scope

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

marked by refinement in taste and manners

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

emanating from God

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

move gently or carefully

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

give an education to

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

freeing someone from the control of another; especially a parent's relinquishing authority and control over a minor child

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

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

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

come to pass

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

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

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

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

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

plural of “isle” — a small island

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

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

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

used to form the superlative

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

not any; not one

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

superlative of “noble” — impressive in appearance

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

a sheltered and secluded place

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

superlative of “pure” — free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

responsive to physical stimuli

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

the feel of a surface or a fabric

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

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

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

in or at that place or location

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

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

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading Virtue knows no color line, and the chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can command no honest respect.

plural of “volunteer” — (military) a person who freely enlists for service

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

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

From this reading It was a heroism no less than that which calls for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

at the time that

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

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

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

a Caucasian

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

which person or people

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

in the company of; together with

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading That chivalry which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely to the women who happen to be white.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading From every nook and corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth to the benighted blacks.