Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

plural of “abuse” — cruel or inhumane treatment

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

love intensely

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

a positive feeling of liking

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

a shelter from danger or hardship

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

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

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

past form of “boast” — show off

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

being joined in close association

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

the custodian of a collection (as a museum or library)

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

past form of “enact” — order by virtue of superior authority; decree

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

inquire into

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

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

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

plural of “fountain” — a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

past form of “grieve” — feel grief

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

before any deductions

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

plural of “hamlet” — a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

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

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

an iconic mental representation

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

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 It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

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

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

a female domestic

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

Canadian novelist (1874-1942)

From this reading MONTGOMERY.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

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

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

information about recent and important events

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

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, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

and nothing more

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

burdened psychologically or mentally

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

precisely, exactly

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

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

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

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

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

plural of “travel” — the act of going from one place to another

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I was grieved at what I had heard, for, during my travels, I had cherished a much-loved image of justice and political excellence, that I now began to fear must be abandoned.

at the time that

From this reading "O, when shall I visit the land of my birth, The loveliest land on the face of the earth?

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

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

which person or people

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When shall I those scenes of affection explore, Our forests, our fountains, Our hamlets, our mountains, With the pride of our mountains, the maid I adore?"

plural of “wrong” — that which is contrary to the principles of justice or law

From this reading It was truly news for an American, who had been so long cut off from intelligence from home, thus suddenly to be told that some of the scenes of the middle ages--scenes connected with real wrongs and gross abuses of human rights--were about to be enacted in his own land; that country which boasted itself, not only to be the asylum of the oppressed, but the conservator of the right.