Chapter II

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

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

plural of “abuse” — cruel or inhumane treatment

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

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

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

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

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

completely unclothed

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

plural of “bastard” — insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

an occurrence of something

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

plural of “coach” — (sports) someone in charge of training an athlete or a team

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

a man who drives a coach (or carriage)

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

under normal conditions

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

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

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

plural of “daddy” — an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

a large number or amount

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

a social unit living together

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

your parents

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

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

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

set up or found

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

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

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

the state of being honored

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

plural of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

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

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

third-person singular of “interpret” — make sense of; assign a meaning to

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

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

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

plural of “lackey” — a male servant (especially a footman)

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

immediately past

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

vigorously passionate

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

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

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

an old word for “no”

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

not any; not one

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

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

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

and nothing more

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

through chance

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

a human being

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

plural of “prophecy” — knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source)

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

express in words

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

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

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

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

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

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

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

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

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

a fact that has been verified

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

the act of using

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

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

From this reading This is meant of the court of assistance; and whoever interprets my prophecies to the prejudice of any person of honour, abuses me.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

in the company of; together with

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

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

From this reading “Many women shall be mothers, And their babbies, Their n’own daddies.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

an employee who performs manual or industrial labor

From this reading Believe me, friend, a man had need have good security upon a woman’s belly, for children are commonly made in the dark, and ’tis no easy matter to know the workman, especially having nothing but the woman’s bare word for’t.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.

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

From this reading “What say ye to this now? are there not many husbands do ye think (if the truth were known) that father more children than their own?

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You little think what a world of our gay folks in their coaches and six, with lackeys at their heels by the dozens, will be found at the last day, to be only the bastards of some pages, gentlemen-ushers, or _valets de chambre_ of the family; nay perchance the physician may have had his hand in the wrong box, and in case of a necessity, good use has been made of a lusty coachman.