used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We do not read Montaigne to learn anything, but to make a friend.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
any thing at all
From this reading We do not read Montaigne to learn anything, but to make a friend.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
for the reason that
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
depictionnounUS /dɪˈpɪkʃən/
a graphic or vivid verbal description
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading We do not read Montaigne to learn anything, but to make a friend.
endevour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
EssaysnounUS /eˈseɪz/
plural of “essay” — an analytic or interpretive literary composition
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
at any time
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
fantasiesnounUS /ˈfæntəsiz/
plural of “fantasy” — imagination unrestricted by reality
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
FOREIGNERSnounUS /ˈfɔːrənərz/
plural of “foreigner” — a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading We do not read Montaigne to learn anything, but to make a friend.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading We do not read Montaigne to learn anything, but to make a friend.
engage in
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
meete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
MONTAIGNEnoun
French writer regarded as the originator of the modern essay (1533-1592)
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
myselfe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
not any; not one
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
re-read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading We do not read Montaigne to learn anything, but to make a friend.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
speake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
unashamedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈʃeɪmd/
used of persons or their behavior; feeling no shame
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/
an old word for “to”
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No man was ever so completely unashamed or so completely honest in his depiction of himself:
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading And on the first page we find our reason for reading him: "I speake unto Paper as to the first man I meete."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading "These are but my fantasies," he says in another place, "by which I endevour not to make things known, but myselfe" ... and truly that is the whole matter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
the act of creating written works
From this reading CERTAIN FOREIGNERS I MONTAIGNE I begin with the third book of Essays because I happened, for the purposes of writing about him, to re-read that first.
