Chapter XXXIX · The Tail Goes with the Hide

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

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

the descendants of one individual

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

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

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading MacCandless was still looking curiously at Matt's card when the latter said:

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading “I called with reference to that big freighter of the Oriental Steamship Company--the Narcissus.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

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

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes

From this reading MacCandless was still looking curiously at Matt's card when the latter said:

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Consequently, he resolved to waste no words in vain parley.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading MacCandless was still looking curiously at Matt's card when the latter said:

plural of “deficiency” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

a barrier that serves to enclose an area

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

a cargo ship

From this reading “I called with reference to that big freighter of the Oriental Steamship Company--the Narcissus.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

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

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

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

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I called with reference to that big freighter of the Oriental Steamship Company--the Narcissus.

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

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

lacking practical experience or training

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

comparative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading MacCandless was still looking curiously at Matt's card when the latter said:

possessive form of “latter” — the second of two or the second mentioned of two

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading MacCandless was still looking curiously at Matt's card when the latter said:

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

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

the property of having little or no contrast; lacking highlights or gloss

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

possessive form of “matt” — the property of having little or no contrast; lacking highlights or gloss

From this reading MacCandless was still looking curiously at Matt's card when the latter said:

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

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

bulbous plant having erect linear leaves and showy yellow or white flowers either solitary or in clusters

From this reading “I called with reference to that big freighter of the Oriental Steamship Company--the Narcissus.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

not any; not one

From this reading Consequently, he resolved to waste no words in vain parley.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

denoting or characteristic of countries of the Far East

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

a negotiation between enemies

From this reading Consequently, he resolved to waste no words in vain parley.

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

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

a remark that calls attention to something or someone

From this reading “I called with reference to that big freighter of the Oriental Steamship Company--the Narcissus.

determined

From this reading Consequently, he resolved to waste no words in vain parley.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading MacCandless was still looking curiously at Matt's card when the latter said:

A distinctive smell or aroma.

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

a slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

a ship powered by one or more steam engines

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

not in physical motion

From this reading MacCandless was still looking curiously at Matt's card when the latter said:

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I called with reference to that big freighter of the Oriental Steamship Company--the Narcissus.

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

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

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

From this reading Consequently, he resolved to waste no words in vain parley.

a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The following morning Matt called upon MacCandless, the general manager of the Oriental Steamship Company.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading Consequently, he resolved to waste no words in vain parley.

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

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading Consequently, he resolved to waste no words in vain parley.

at the time that

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Consequently, he resolved to waste no words in vain parley.

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

From this reading Mr. MacCandless was a cold individual of Scotch ancestry, with a scent for a dollar a trifle keener than most; and Matt Peasley, young and inexperienced in business fencing, was never more aware of his deficiencies than when he faced MacCandless across the latter's desk.