used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading There must always be a reference back to the rank and file.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
attendsverbUS /əˈtendz/
third-person singular of “attend” — be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading There must always be a reference back to the rank and file.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There must always be a reference back to the rank and file.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading The real decision lies with them.
delegateverbUS /ˈdeləɡeɪt/
transfer power to someone
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
democraticadjectiveUS /ˌdeməˈkrætɪk/
characterized by or advocating or based upon the principles of democracy or social equality
From this reading The organization of labor unions is generally democratic.
dignitariesnounUS /ˈdɪɡnəteriz/
plural of “dignitary” — an important or influential (and often overbearing) person
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
electsnounUS /ˌɪˈlekts/
plural of “elect” — an exclusive group of people
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
apart from; not including
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
fellow-delegates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
fileverbUS /faɪl/
record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading There must always be a reference back to the rank and file.
usually; as a rule
From this reading The organization of labor unions is generally democratic.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The organization of labor unions is generally democratic.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading The organization of labor unions is generally democratic.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading The real decision lies with them.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
lodgeverbUS /lɑːdʒ/
be a lodger; stay temporarily
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading There must always be a reference back to the rank and file.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The organization of labor unions is generally democratic.
and nothing more
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
organizationnounUS /ˌɔːrɡənəˈzeɪʃən/
a group of people who work together
From this reading The organization of labor unions is generally democratic.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading There must always be a reference back to the rank and file.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The real decision lies with them.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading There must always be a reference back to the rank and file.
representativesnounUS /ˌreprəˈzentətɪvz/
plural of “representative” — a person who represents others
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
salariesnounUS /ˈsæləriz/
plural of “salary” — something that remunerates
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
self-governingadjectiveUS /ˈselfˈɡʌvərnɪŋ/
(of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
not in physical motion
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
suggestverbUS /səˈdʒest/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The organization of labor unions is generally democratic.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The real decision lies with them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There must always be a reference back to the rank and file.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
titlesnounUS /ˈtaɪtəlz/
plural of “title” — a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
unionsnounUS /ˈjuːnjənz/
plural of “union” — an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading The organization of labor unions is generally democratic.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
precisely as stated
From this reading But however high their titles, or their salaries, these dignitaries have power only to suggest action, except in a very limited variety of cases.
which person or people
From this reading The local lodge is self-governing; it elects its delegate, who attends a council of fellow-delegates, and this council may send representatives to a still more powerful body.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The real decision lies with them.
