Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

further or added

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

later than; following

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

of or pertaining to the art and science of architecture

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

plural of “argonaut” — someone engaged in a dangerous but potentially rewarding adventure

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

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

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

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

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

for a short time

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

plural of “dignitary” — an important or influential (and often overbearing) person

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

give expression to

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

plural of “family” — a social unit living together

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

the decade from 1950 to 1959

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

having or given a form or shape

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

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

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

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

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

apprehended with certainty

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

of less size or importance

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

plural of “mansion” — (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

place in proper rank

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

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

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

discuss the terms of an arrangement

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

the compass point midway between north and east; at 45 degrees

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

and nothing more

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

traveling or passing over land

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

an amount of time

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

plural of “pretension” — a false or unsupportable quality

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

past form of “reside” — make one's home in a particular place or community

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

a cocktail made with bourbon with bitters and Pernod and sugar served with lemon peel

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

plural of “senator” — a member of a senate

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

very large in expanse or scope

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

declared as fact; explicitly stated

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

United States writer (1834-1902)

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

in or at that place or location

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

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

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

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

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

a written agreement between two states or sovereigns

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

under normal conditions

From this reading After the ladies retired at night, the gentlemen usually assembled in the spacious parlor, opened a bottle of Sazerac, and discussed politics.

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

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

From this reading In those early days private mansions were few; so the boarding-house formed the only home of the Argonauts.

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

From this reading From articles of Charles D. Poston in the _Overland Express_ In San Francisco in the early fifties, there was a house on the northeast corner of Stockton and Washington, of considerable architectural pretensions for the period, which was called the "Government Boarding House."

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The cause of this appellation was that the California senators and their families, a member of Congress and his wife, the United States marshal, and several lesser dignitaries of the Federal Government, resided there.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated:

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was known to the senators that the American minister in Mexico had been instructed to negotiate a new treaty with Mexico for the acquisition of additional territory; not that there was a pressing necessity for more land, but for reasons which will be briefly stated: