Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

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

From this reading ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

plural of “addition” — a component that is added to something to improve it

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

acquired as your own by free choice

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

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

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

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

From this reading ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

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

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

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

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

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

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; formerly used as a sedative but now generally replaced by safer drugs

From this reading ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

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

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

English writer of satirical novels (1917-1993)

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

relating to or used in chemistry

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

permission to do something

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

plural of “decoration” — something used to beautify

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

plural of “denomination” — a group of religious congregations having its own organization and a distinctive faith

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

the act of increasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

an analytic or interpretive literary composition

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

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

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

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

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

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

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

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

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

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

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

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

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

a brief written record

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

mental or emotional as opposed to physical in nature

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

on the contrary

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

past form of “reprint” — print anew

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

plural of “revision” — the act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification)

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

the quality of being significant

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

be standing; be upright

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

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

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

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

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

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

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

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

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

the act of using

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

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

From this reading Author of “Goops and How to Be Them,” “The Burgess Nonsense Book,” “Vivette,” &c., &c.

impaired by diminution

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

widely or fully known

From this reading _Including many well-known Bromidioms now in use_ GELETT BURGESS, S.B.

to a great degree

From this reading The terms “Bromide” and “Sulphite” as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Note: Decorations replaced with five asterisks * * * * * _This essay is reprinted, with revisions and enlargement additions, from “The Sulphitic Theory” published in “The Smart Set” for April, 1906, by consent of the editors._ ARE YOU A BROMIDE?

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ARE YOU A BROMIDE?