Chapter XXXV

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

From this reading 1699.]

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

From this reading TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.[174] MADAM, [Nov.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

perfect or complete or pure

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

call before a court to answer an indictment

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

-ing form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

one or the other of two

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.[174] MADAM, [Nov.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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 The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.[174] MADAM, [Nov.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

immediately past

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

go away from a place

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

a dissolute person; usually a man who is morally unrestrained

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

excessive freedom; lack of due restraint

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

in a relaxed manner; not rigid

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

a woman of refinement

From this reading TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.[174] MADAM, [Nov.

engage in

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

freedom from vanity or conceit

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

used to form the superlative

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.[174] MADAM, [Nov.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.[174] MADAM, [Nov.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

and nothing more

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

the local environment

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

go across or through

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

literature in metrical form

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

practice as a profession, teach, or claim to be knowledgeable about

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

oust politically

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

express in words

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

activities associated with sexual intercourse

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.[174] MADAM, [Nov.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

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 ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

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

From this reading TO MRS ELIZABETH THOMAS, JUN.[174] MADAM, [Nov.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading I confess, I am the last man who ought, in justice, to arraign her, who have been my self too much a libertine in most of my poems; which I shou’d be well contented I had time either to purge, or to see them fairly burn’d.

producing little or no profit or gain

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

which person or people

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

in the company of; together with

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

produce a literary work

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

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

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The great desire which I observe in you to write well, and those good parts which God Almighty and nature have bestow’d on you, make me not to doubt, that, by application to study, and the reading of the best authors, you may be absolute mistress of poetry.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ’Tis an unprofitable art to those who profess it; but you, who write only for your diversion, may pass your hours with pleasure in it, and without prejudice; always avoiding (as I know you will,) the licence which Mrs Behn[175] allow’d her self, of writeing loosely, and giveing, if I may have leave to say so, some scandall to the modesty of her sex.