used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
a quantity of money
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
boundlessadjectiveUS /ˈbaʊndləs/
seemingly boundless in amount, number, degree, or especially extent
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
deceitnounUS /dɪˈsiːt/
The action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth.
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
devilsnounUS /ˈdevəlz/
plural of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
dissemblernoun
a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
empirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
exaggerateverbUS /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/
to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
ghostsnounUS /ɡoʊsts/
plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
plural of “god” — 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 For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
death of a person
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
GRAVEYARDnounUS /ˈɡreɪvjɑːrd/
a tract of land used for burials
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
hearernounUS /ˈhiːrər/
someone who listens attentively
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
incredulitynounUS /ˌɪnkrəˈduːlɪti/
doubt about the truth of something
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
indulgeverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒ/
give free rein to
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
islandernounUS /ˈaɪləndər/
an inhabitant of an island
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
lorenounUS /lɔːr/
knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
subject to death
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
mouldverbUS /moʊld/
form in clay, wax, etc
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
needfuladjectiveUS /ˈniːdfəl/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
many times at short intervals
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
and nothing more
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
on the contrary
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
only a very short time before
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
express in speech
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
superstitionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
superstitionsnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/
plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
superstitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəs/
showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
express in words
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
a special situation
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the deceit is scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as pleased with the story as he with the belief; and besides, it is entirely needful.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
at the time that
From this reading For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts, and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only with his lips.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let me indulge it as I please, I shall not hear the whole; for he is already on his guard with me, and the amount of the lore is boundless.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading GRAVEYARD STORIES With my superstitious friend, the islander, I fear I am not wholly frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading With thoughts so different, one must indulge the other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition than he my incredulity.
