Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading 2.

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

From this reading FOOTNOTES: [45] Old eds. "improving."

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

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

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

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

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

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

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

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

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

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

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

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

third-person singular of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

a rapid automatic system to detect plastic explosives in passengers' luggage using X-ray technology and computers; designed for use in airports

From this reading FOOTNOTES: [45] Old eds. "improving."

at any time

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

plural of “footnote” — a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading FOOTNOTES: [45] Old eds. "improving."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

decorate with, or as if with, gold leaf or liquid gold

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

coins made of gold

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

in a grim implacable manner

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

plural of “groom” — a man participant in his own marriage ceremony

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

the state of having committed an offense

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

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

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

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

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

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

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

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

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

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

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

getting higher or more vigorous

From this reading FOOTNOTES: [45] Old eds. "improving."

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

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

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

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

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

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

a polite name for any woman

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

(Greek mythology) a youth beloved of Hero who drowned in a storm in the Hellespont on one of his nightly visits to see her

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

king of Scotland (died in 1057)

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

at or constituting a border or edge

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

plural of “melt” — the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

a particular point in time

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

a brief written record

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

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 [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading FOOTNOTES: [45] Old eds. "improving."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

(Greek mythology) Greek god of light; god of prophecy and poetry and music and healing; son of Zeus and Leto; twin brother of Artemis

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

plural of “poppy” — annual or biennial or perennial herbs having showy flowers

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

To recall to mind.

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

take hold of; grab

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

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

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

get rid of

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

from a time in the past until now

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

a woolen cap of Scottish origin

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

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

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

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

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

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

From this reading [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.

a Caucasian

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this word:-- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal: For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but compare _Tam o' Shanter_-- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed, Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever!'"