Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

past form of “abduct” — take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

not being in a specified place

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

matters of personal concern

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

plural of “alderman” — a member of a municipal legislative body (as a city council)

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

a person who is in charge

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

a state at a particular time

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

recognizable; marked

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

-ing form of “deplore” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

not accessible to view

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

United States educator who introduced reforms that significantly altered the system of public education (1796-1859)

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

possessive form of “mayor” — the head of a city government

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

relating or belonging to or characteristic of a municipality

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

clean or organized

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

formed into a structured or coherent whole, particularly on a large scale

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

United States inventor who manufactured the first elevator with a safety device (1811-1861)

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

given to expressing yourself freely or insistently

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

on the contrary

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

with no problems or difficulties

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

plural of “supporter” — a person who backs a politician or a team etc.

From this reading Every member was present, and Mr. Mann counted his supporters carefully as he opened the meeting for business.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

inclined to believe or confide readily; full of trust

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The Boodlers Score A week later, there was a meeting of the city council, at the mayor's office, called by the chairman of the board of aldermen, to "discuss the unusual state of affairs and find a way out," as Mr. Otis H. Mann put it.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The mayor's friends were strong and outspoken, he decided, but they were not in the majority.

at the time that

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "A terrible condition of municipal affairs exists," he went on smoothly, "when its chief magistrate can be abducted and kept hidden, without--or with?--her own volition for a whole week.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He began by making a rather neat speech, deploring the state of things in Roma, and trusting that the citizens' committee, which had been organized the week before for the purpose of discovering the absent officials, would be successful.