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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
Absurd
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From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
admit
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From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
advance
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From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
advanced
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
all
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From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
appear
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From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
argumentnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/
a reason or example used to support an idea
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
arguments
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
begetting
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From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
considerations
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From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
consumes
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
content
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From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
corporal
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
enormity
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From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
evil
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From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
exaggerate
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From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
favour
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
few
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From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
flogging
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From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
given
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From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
idea
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From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
illustrations
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From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
importance
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From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
incidental
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From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
inflicted
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
irresistible
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From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
Many
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From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
matter
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From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
moment
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
Navy
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
occasion
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From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
officers
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
premises
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From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
prisoner's
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
probably
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From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
punishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
put
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
sailor
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From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
shirt
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From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
substituted
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From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
There
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From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
thereby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
touching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
undue
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From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
valuable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
wastenounUS /weɪst/
an empty, uncultivated area of land
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading One of the arguments advanced by officers of the Navy in favour of corporal punishment is this: it can be inflicted in a moment; it consumes no valuable time; and when the prisoner’s shirt is put on, _that_ is the last of it.
WhereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/
in contrast with the fact that
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There are incidental considerations touching this matter of flogging, which exaggerate the evil into a great enormity.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Many illustrations might be given, but let us be content with a few.
worse
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From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Whereas, if another punishment were substituted, it would probably occasion a great waste of time and trouble, besides thereby begetting in the sailor an undue idea of his importance.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Absurd, or worse than absurd, as it may appear, all this is true; and if you start from the same premises with these officers, you, must admit that they advance an irresistible argument.