Melancholy for what?... I thought thou hadst been more of a man; thou that are not afraid of an acute death, a sword's point, to be so plaguily hypped at the consequences of a chronical one?
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
Thou mayest by trick, chicane, and false colours, thou who art worse than a pickeroon in love, overcome a poor lady so entangled as thou hast entangled her...
Belford to Lovelace, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
I am glad she wept so much, because no heart bursts (be the occasion for the sorrow what it will) which has that kindly relief. Hence I hardly ever am moved at the sight of these pellucid fugitives in a fine woman.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
How came she (thought I at the instant) by all this penetration? My devil surely does not play me booty. If I thought he did, I would marry and live honest, to be even with him.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
The dog sat uneasy: he shifted his feet: her eye was upon him; he was therefore, after the rebuff he had met with, afraid to look at me for my motions; and now turned his eyes towards me, then from me, as if he would unlook his own looks...
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
...and since he thought it necessary to tell the people below anything about me, I insisted that he should unsay all he had said, and tell them the truth.
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
Think not of corresponding with a wretch who now seems absolutely devoted! How can it be otherwise, if a parent's curses have the weight I always attributed to them...
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
This correspondence was prohibited before, and that, to the daughter, in the strongest terms: but yet carried on by both: although a brace of impeccables, and please ye.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
All I had to apprehend was that a daughter so reluctantly carried off would offer terms to her father, and would be accepted upon a mutual concedence; they to give up Solmes; she to give up me.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
Could we have a feature that would tell us how often a word or a list has been listed as a favorite by members? I only see favorite lists on the individual profiles. I don't know if it's feasible for favorite words, but I think it could work with lists.
The other seven seemed to have been just up, risen perhaps from their customers in the fore-house, and their nocturnal orgies, with faces, three or four of them, that had run, the paint lying in streaky seams not half blowzed off, discovering coarse wrinkled skins...
Belford to Lovelace, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
Then, if these somnivolences (I hate the word opiates on this occasion) have turned her head, that is an effect they frequently have upon some constitutions; and in this case was rather the fault of the dose, than the design of the giver.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
And hence you concluded, that could this consentaneousness, as you called it, of corporal and animal faculties be pointed by discretion; that is to say, could his vivacity be confined within the pale of but moral obligations; he would be far from being rejectible as a companion for life.
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
But my brother and sister have such an influence over everybody, and are so determined; so pique themselves upon subduing me and carrying their point; that I despair that they will...
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
She says I am too witty; Anglice, too pert: I, that she is too wise; that is to say, being likewise put into English, not so young as she has been: in short, is grown so much into mother, she has forgotten she ever was a daughter.
He owns, 'that he has an intelligencer in our family; who has failed him for a day or two past: and not knowing how I do, or how I may be treated, his anxiety is the greater.'
Clarissa Harlowe quoting Lovelace, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
Complaining, as he did, in a half-menacing strain, of the obloquies raised against him--- 'That if he were innocent, he should despise the obloquy; if not, revenge would not wipe off his guilt.'
Clarissa Harlowe quoting Lovelace, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.
Why, indeed, said my brother with an air of college-sufficiency, with which he abounds (for he thinks nobody writes like himself), I believe I have given her a choke-pear. What say you, Mr Solmes?
After all, methinks I want those tostications (thou seest how women, and women's words, fill my mind) to be over, happily over, that I may sit down quietly, and reflect upon the dangers I have passed through, and the troubles I have undergone.
Comments by minerva
Show previous 200 comments...
minerva commented on the list snoopy
I was also disappointed by Spike's absence. And Lucy is missing, too. She was his number one kissing partner!
December 14, 2007
minerva commented on the word hoyden
Dear creature!-- Did she never romp? Did she never from girlhood to now, hoyden?
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 13, 2007
minerva commented on the word dastardized
And yet the moment I beheld her, my heart was dastardized, damped, and reverenced-over.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 13, 2007
minerva commented on the word identicalness
She has a high opinion of her sex, to think they can charm so long, with a man so well acquainted with their identicalness.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 13, 2007
minerva commented on the word varletess
The next letter is of such a nature, that I dare say these proud varletesses would not have had it fall into my hands for the world.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 13, 2007
minerva commented on the word trow
Yet my teasing ways, it seems, are intolerable-- Are women only to tease, I trow?
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 13, 2007
minerva commented on the word gothamite
I have great temptations, on this occasion, says the prim Gothamite, to express my own resentments upon your present state.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 13, 2007
minerva commented on the word gothamite
Can also mean a fool, from the English village of Gotham, proverbially known for its fools.
Don't write me!
December 13, 2007
minerva commented on the word gantlope
A form of gauntlet.
December 13, 2007
minerva commented on the word gantlope
What a gantlope would she run, when I had done with her, among a dozen of her own pitiless sex...
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 13, 2007
minerva commented on the word hypped
Melancholy for what?... I thought thou hadst been more of a man; thou that are not afraid of an acute death, a sword's point, to be so plaguily hypped at the consequences of a chronical one?
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word hypped
Hypochondria, low spirits, depression, melancholy.
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word monotonist
If I ruin such a virtue, sayest thou?-- Eternal monotonist!
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word wambling
...I am amazed at the repetition of thy wambling nonsense.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word pickeroon
Thou mayest by trick, chicane, and false colours, thou who art worse than a pickeroon in love, overcome a poor lady so entangled as thou hast entangled her...
Belford to Lovelace, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word poleaxe
His clenched fist offered to his forehead on your leaving him in just displeasure; I wish it had been a poleaxe, and in the hand of his worst enemy.
Anna Howe to Clarissa Harlowe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word climacteric
Yet I believe you must not expect him to be honest on this side of his grand climacteric.
Anna Howe to Clarissa Harlowe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word pellucid
I am glad she wept so much, because no heart bursts (be the occasion for the sorrow what it will) which has that kindly relief. Hence I hardly ever am moved at the sight of these pellucid fugitives in a fine woman.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word confoundedly
Confoundedly out of humour with this perverse lady.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word spiritful
Miss Howe is a charming creature too; but confoundedly smart, and spiritful. I am a good deal afraid of her.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word bestraught
For, Belford ('tis a folly to deny it), I have been, to use an old word, quite bestraught.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word booty
How came she (thought I at the instant) by all this penetration? My devil surely does not play me booty. If I thought he did, I would marry and live honest, to be even with him.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word booty
Also: to play (someone) booty: to act falsely (against someone) for gain.
December 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word jangling
She can keep nothing from her daughter, though they are always jangling.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the list clarissa-or-the-history-of-a-young-lady
Thank you very much! I'm just doing my part to get as many people as possible to read this great book.
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word waylay
Your brother having been assured that you are not married, has taken a resolution to find you out, way-lay you and carry you off.
Anna Howe to Clarissa Harlowe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word mediatress
A female mediator.
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word swerve
And who shall put her to this trial?-- Who but the man who has, as she thinks, already induced her in lesser points to swerve?
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word misbestowed
...how shall I tell him that all his compliments are misbestowed...
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word divers
Also adj.: diverse, various
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word unlook
The dog sat uneasy: he shifted his feet: her eye was upon him; he was therefore, after the rebuff he had met with, afraid to look at me for my motions; and now turned his eyes towards me, then from me, as if he would unlook his own looks...
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word unsay
...and since he thought it necessary to tell the people below anything about me, I insisted that he should unsay all he had said, and tell them the truth.
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word pad-nag
And will it not moreover give him pretence and excuse oftener than ever to pad-nag it hither to good Mrs Howe's fair daughter?
Anna Howe to Clarissa Harlowe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word pad-nag
See also padnag.
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word plumb
Mrs Howe was acted by the springs I set at work: her daughter was moving for me, and yet imagined herself plumb against me...
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word devoted
Think not of corresponding with a wretch who now seems absolutely devoted! How can it be otherwise, if a parent's curses have the weight I always attributed to them...
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word brace
This correspondence was prohibited before, and that, to the daughter, in the strongest terms: but yet carried on by both: although a brace of impeccables, and please ye.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word podagra-man
A person afflicted with gout in the foot.
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word willinger
I was the willinger to suspend my journey thither, till I heard from Harlowe Place.
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 10, 2007
minerva commented on the word fellowess
Who can have patience with such fellows and fellowesses?
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word concedence
All I had to apprehend was that a daughter so reluctantly carried off would offer terms to her father, and would be accepted upon a mutual concedence; they to give up Solmes; she to give up me.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word enow
Enough.
December 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word an't
=am not. See also ain't.
December 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word hecatomb
Whole hecatombs ought to be offered up to the manes of my Clarissa Lovelace.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 8, 2007
minerva commented on the word manes
Tomorrow is the day that will, in all probability, send either one or two ghosts to attend the manes of my Clarissa.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 8, 2007
minerva commented on the word manes
Whole hecatombs ought to be offered up to the manes of my Clarissa Lovelace.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 8, 2007
minerva commented on the word reesetee
Why doesn't reesetee appear on one of reesetee's lists?
December 7, 2007
minerva commented on the word features
John,
Could we have a feature that would tell us how often a word or a list has been listed as a favorite by members? I only see favorite lists on the individual profiles. I don't know if it's feasible for favorite words, but I think it could work with lists.
December 6, 2007
minerva commented on the word sightliness
Your sightliness of person may perhaps make some think this alliance disparaging. But I hope you won't put such a personal value upon yourself...
Mrs. Harlowe to Clarissa Harlowe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 5, 2007
minerva commented on the word blowzed
The other seven seemed to have been just up, risen perhaps from their customers in the fore-house, and their nocturnal orgies, with faces, three or four of them, that had run, the paint lying in streaky seams not half blowzed off, discovering coarse wrinkled skins...
Belford to Lovelace, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 5, 2007
minerva commented on the word blowzed
ruddy-faced, high-colored (from wind or sun); also disheveled, disordered
December 5, 2007
minerva commented on the word somnivolences
Then, if these somnivolences (I hate the word opiates on this occasion) have turned her head, that is an effect they frequently have upon some constitutions; and in this case was rather the fault of the dose, than the design of the giver.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 5, 2007
minerva commented on the word kemboed
But for a wife to come up with a kemboed arm, the other hand thrown out, perhaps with a pointing finger--- 'Look ye here, Sir!--- Take notice!...'
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 5, 2007
minerva commented on the word kemboed
See akimbo
December 5, 2007
minerva commented on the word rhodomontade
Allow me a little rhodomontade, Jack!...
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the word scribbling
Never was there such a pair of scribbling lovers as we--- yet perhaps whom it so much concerns to keep from each other what each writes.
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the word consentaneousness
And hence you concluded, that could this consentaneousness, as you called it, of corporal and animal faculties be pointed by discretion; that is to say, could his vivacity be confined within the pale of but moral obligations; he would be far from being rejectible as a companion for life.
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the word pique
But my brother and sister have such an influence over everybody, and are so determined; so pique themselves upon subduing me and carrying their point; that I despair that they will...
Clarissa Harlowe to Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the word bruit
Then who says Miss Clarissa Harlowe is the paragon of virtue? Is virtue itself?
All who know her, and have heard of her, it will be answered.
Common bruit!--- Is virtue to be established by common bruit only?...
Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the word bruit
Also a noun (archaic).
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the word relict
Also a widow.
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the list i-d-be-honoured-to-do-this-list
Keep it coming, Sire!
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the list at-least-two-apostrophes-or-your-money-back
This list is wonderful, i'n't it?
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the word yonker
A youngster; see also younker
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the word stander-by
A stander-by may see more of the game than one that plays.
Anna Howe to Clarissa Harlowe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
December 4, 2007
minerva commented on the user seanahan
Greetings, Seanahan:
Intelligencer, apart from featuring as the title of certain newspapers, can also mean an informer or spy.
November 29, 2007
minerva commented on the word froward
You don't know how many times I thought this was a typo for forward...
November 29, 2007
minerva commented on the word anglice
She says I am too witty; Anglice, too pert: I, that she is too wise; that is to say, being likewise put into English, not so young as she has been: in short, is grown so much into mother, she has forgotten she ever was a daughter.
Anna Howe, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
November 28, 2007
minerva commented on the word intelligencer
Also a spy:
He owns, 'that he has an intelligencer in our family; who has failed him for a day or two past: and not knowing how I do, or how I may be treated, his anxiety is the greater.'
Clarissa Harlowe quoting Lovelace, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
November 28, 2007
minerva commented on the word obloquy
Also such language; calumny.
Complaining, as he did, in a half-menacing strain, of the obloquies raised against him--- 'That if he were innocent, he should despise the obloquy; if not, revenge would not wipe off his guilt.'
Clarissa Harlowe quoting Lovelace, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.
November 28, 2007
minerva commented on the word choke-pear
Also choke pear
November 27, 2007
minerva commented on the word choke-pear
Why, indeed, said my brother with an air of college-sufficiency, with which he abounds (for he thinks nobody writes like himself), I believe I have given her a choke-pear. What say you, Mr Solmes?
November 27, 2007
minerva commented on the word flusterations
Bless me! said she, how soon these fine young ladies will be put into flusterations!
November 27, 2007
minerva commented on the word stomachfulness
"Only this, miss, that your stomachfulness had swallowed up your stomach; and that obstinancy was meat, drink, and cloth to you."
November 27, 2007
minerva commented on the word zounds
Compare Oons (also God's wounds)
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word asservation
But of this he should say the less, as it were much better to justify himself by his actions than by the most solemn asservations and promises...
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word sangwich
Or "sammich."
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word junketing
I know not why a good wife should be above these things. 'Tis better than lying abed half the day, and junketing and card-playing all the night...
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word i'n't
For: is not, isn't
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word dunstable
Plain speaking (The road from London to Dunstable stretched for the most part in a straight, direct line.)
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word dunstable
How you begin your letter!---Because I value Mr. Solmes as my friend, you treat him the worse---That's the plain dunstable of the matter, Miss!
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word poppet
These lines of Rowe have got into my head; and I shall repeat them very devoutly all the way the chairmen shall poppet me towards her by-and-by.
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word tostications
That's a possibility; the word was originally a mispronunciation of intoxication.
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word qualifying
I once thought a little qualifying among such violent spirits was not amiss.
October 11, 2007
minerva commented on the word glout
to scowl, sulk, frown, glower
October 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word refractoriness
Your papa will be obeyed. He is willing to hope you to be all obedience, and would prevent all incitements to refractoriness.
October 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word splay
I arose, the man hemming up for a speech, rising and beginning to set his splay feet...
October 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word asquat
But, unluckily, there was the odious Solmes sitting asquat between my mamma and sister...
October 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word se'ennight
A week; seven nights (see also fortnight)
October 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word oons
Wounds, i.e. God's wounds (see also Zounds):
Sheridan, The School for Scandal:
"Oons, haven’t you got enough of them?"
October 9, 2007
minerva commented on the word tostications
After all, methinks I want those tostications (thou seest how women, and women's words, fill my mind) to be over, happily over, that I may sit down quietly, and reflect upon the dangers I have passed through, and the troubles I have undergone.
October 4, 2007