Chapter VI

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

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

of or relating to the structure of the body

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

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

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

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

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

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

From this reading Certain fixed rules obtain as to the eldest and youngest of each class.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading They are respectively "Dad" and "Babe."

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

a youthful male person

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

plural of “cadet” — a military trainee (as at a military academy)

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

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

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Certain fixed rules obtain as to the eldest and youngest of each class.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Certain fixed rules obtain as to the eldest and youngest of each class.

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

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

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

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

(of hair) having curls or waves

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading They are respectively "Dad" and "Babe."

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Certain fixed rules obtain as to the eldest and youngest of each class.

having unsuitable feminine qualities

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

first in order of birth

From this reading Certain fixed rules obtain as to the eldest and youngest of each class.

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

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

containing or composed of fat

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

a boy or man

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading Certain fixed rules obtain as to the eldest and youngest of each class.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

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

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

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

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

staying power

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person's given name)

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

not any; not one

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

come into possession of

From this reading Certain fixed rules obtain as to the eldest and youngest of each class.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

in other respects or ways

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

plural of “peculiarity” — an odd or unusual characteristic

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

the finger farthest from the thumb

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

give an incentive for action

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

unusual or striking

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

in the order given

From this reading They are respectively "Dad" and "Babe."

relieve from

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading Certain fixed rules obtain as to the eldest and youngest of each class.

plural of “shank” — a cut of meat (beef or veal or mutton or lamb) from the upper part of the leg

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

a timid man or boy considered childish or unassertive

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

being very thin

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

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

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

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

From this reading They are respectively "Dad" and "Babe."

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

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

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Physical peculiarities are turned to prompt account, and no account is taken of personal feelings.

displeasing to the senses

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

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

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading It takes but little time for a boy to win a nickname in the corps of cadets, though a lifetime may not rid him of it.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Otherwise a young fellow becomes "Fatty" or "Skinny," "Whity" or "Cuffy," "Beauty" (if ugly), "Curly," or "Pinky," "Shanks" or "Legs," "Bones," etc., if in any way remarkable from an anatomical point of view; "Sissy," "Fanny," "Carrie," if rosy-cheeked and clear-skinned, whether otherwise effeminate or not.

superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Certain fixed rules obtain as to the eldest and youngest of each class.