Chapter III

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

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

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

official notice that you have been fired from your job

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

a feeling of great liking for something wonderful and unusual

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

a social unit living together

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

an old form of “has”

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading They could only write from the heart.

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

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

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

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

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

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

not any; not one

From this reading They were surely no pretenders.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

come into possession of

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

and nothing more

From this reading They could only write from the heart.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

go across or through

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

plural of “pretender” — a claimant to the throne or to the office of ruler (usually without just title)

From this reading They were surely no pretenders.

plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

Identical; not different.

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

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

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

plural of “successor” — a person who follows next in order

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading They were surely no pretenders.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?

in spite of the fact that

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

(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 And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

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

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I believe, said he, they were, and that the short accounts we have of their lives shew it, though a perfect dismission from the court was what they could not obtain, or had not the resolution to insist upon.

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

From this reading And methinks it were more candid, as well as more reasonable, to account for this passion, which hath so constantly shewn itself in their successors, from the same reason.

produce a literary work

From this reading They could only write from the heart.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But pray, upon your principles, that all this is but the enchantment of _example_ or _fashion_, how came it to pass, that the first seducers of the family, the old poets themselves, had fallen into these notions?