used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
how long something has existed
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
argueverbUS /ˈɑːrɡjuː/
present reasons and arguments
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
avowedadjectiveUS /əˈvaʊd/
openly declared as such
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
confuseverbUS /kənˈfjuːz/
mistake one thing for another
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
deistnounUS /ˈdiːɪst/
a person who believes that God created the universe and then abandoned it
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
deists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
disputations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
an act that fails
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
FRANKLINnounUS /ˈfræŋklɪn/
United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)
From this reading FRANKLIN'S STRUGGLES WITH FRANKLIN.
FRANKLIN'SnounUS /ˈfræŋklənz/
possessive form of “franklin” — United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)
From this reading FRANKLIN'S STRUGGLES WITH FRANKLIN.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
the head of a state government
From this reading Governor Keith was a deist.
grievedverbUS /ɡriːvd/
past form of “grieve” — feel grief
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Governor Keith was a deist.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
held dear
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
PuritannounUS /ˈpjʊrətən/
a member of a group of English Protestants who in the 16th and 17th centuries thought that the Protestant Reformation under Elizabeth was incomplete and advocated the simplification and regulation of forms of worship
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
SocraticadjectiveUS /səˈkrætɪk/
of or relating to Socrates or to his method of teaching
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
that is looked for
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
stanchverbUS /stæntʃ/
stop the flow of a liquid
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
STRUGGLESnounUS /ˈstrʌɡəlz/
plural of “struggle” — an energetic attempt to achieve something
From this reading FRANKLIN'S STRUGGLES WITH FRANKLIN.
subjunctivenoun
a mood that represents an act or state (not as a fact but) as contingent or possible
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
theistnoun
one who believes in the existence of a god or gods
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading His intimate friends were deists, but they came to early failure through want of faith or any positive moral conviction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Governor Keith was a deist.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
at the time that
From this reading He loved to argue, and when he had learned the Socratic art of asking questions so as to lead one to confuse himself, and of answering questions in the subjunctive mood, he sought nothing more than disputations in the stanch Puritan town.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
which person or people
From this reading AT the age of fifteen Franklin had avowed himself a deist, or theist, which must have grieved his parents, who were people of positive Christian faith.
in the company of; together with
From this reading FRANKLIN'S STRUGGLES WITH FRANKLIN.
