used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
equally
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
(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 Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Does any body believe so in our days Grandfather?" asked Laurence.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Does any body believe so in our days Grandfather?" asked Laurence.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "Does any body believe so in our days Grandfather?" asked Laurence.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading "Does any body believe so in our days Grandfather?" asked Laurence.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
clergymennounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimɪn/
plural of “clergyman” — a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
differedverbUS /ˈdɪfərd/
past form of “differ” — be different
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
Doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Does any body believe so in our days Grandfather?" asked Laurence.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
Laurence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Does any body believe so in our days Grandfather?" asked Laurence.
magistratesnounUS /ˈmædʒɪstreɪts/
plural of “magistrate” — a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
MassachusettsnounUS /ˌmæsəˈtʃuːsəts/
a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
the force of workers available
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
ministersnounUS /ˈmɪnəstərz/
plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Does any body believe so in our days Grandfather?" asked Laurence.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
by chance
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/
(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
rulersnounUS /ˈruːlərz/
plural of “ruler” — a person who rules or commands
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Does any body believe so in our days Grandfather?" asked Laurence.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading His opinions of civil and religious matters differed, in many respects, from those of the rulers and clergymen of Massachusetts.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
except if; if not
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
which person or people
From this reading "Possibly there are some who believe it," said Grandfather; "but they have not so much power to act upon their belief, as the magistrates and ministers had, in the days of Roger Williams.
WilliamsnounUS /ˈwɪljəmz/
United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)
From this reading "Roger Williams," said Grandfather, "did not keep possession of the chair a great while.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Now the wise men of those days believed, that the country could not be safe, unless all the inhabitants thought and felt alike."
