Chapter II

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

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

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

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

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

for the reason that

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

get temporarily

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

providing freedom from worry

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

any system of principles or beliefs

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

in a state of sulky dissatisfaction

From this reading It makes a man utterly dissatisfied with his lot, while it leaves him only too well satisfied with himself.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

(Middle Ages) an attendant and shield bearer to a knight; a candidate for knighthood

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

an established custom

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

a county in southern England

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

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

From this reading It makes a man utterly dissatisfied with his lot, while it leaves him only too well satisfied with himself.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

characteristic of humanity

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

to furnish incriminating evidence to an officer of the law (usually in return for favors)

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

signifying nothing

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

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

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading It makes a man utterly dissatisfied with his lot, while it leaves him only too well satisfied with himself.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading It makes a man utterly dissatisfied with his lot, while it leaves him only too well satisfied with himself.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading It makes a man utterly dissatisfied with his lot, while it leaves him only too well satisfied with himself.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

the force of workers available

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

not caught with the senses or the mind

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

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

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

and nothing more

From this reading It makes a man utterly dissatisfied with his lot, while it leaves him only too well satisfied with himself.

possessive form of “opponent” — a contestant that you are matched against

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

extremely crowed or filled to capacity

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

a local church community

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

stiff cardboard made by pasting together layers of paper

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

restoring confidence and relieving anxiety

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

filled with satisfaction

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

the money risked on a gamble

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

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

From this reading It is a nice, contented, comforting, reassuring creed this for any human being to hold.

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

push forcefully

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It makes a man utterly dissatisfied with his lot, while it leaves him only too well satisfied with himself.

plural of “trump” — a playing card in the suit that has been declared trumps

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading It makes a man utterly dissatisfied with his lot, while it leaves him only too well satisfied with himself.

of no value

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

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

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

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

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It makes a man utterly dissatisfied with his lot, while it leaves him only too well satisfied with himself.

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

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

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

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

during the time that

From this reading He had lost, he felt satisfied, not for want of skill in playing his game, but because the game of life was an unfair one, in which the cards were packed, and all the trumps dealt to one man, while all the low, poor, insignificant, valueless bits of pasteboard were left for another, in which from birth all the odds were against one player, while the stakes were thrust, _nolens volens_, into his opponent’s hand.

which person or people

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Arthur Dudley, Esquire, of Berrie Down Hollow, in the parish of Fifield, Hertfordshire, was in the habit of informing all those whom the intelligence might, and a great number whom it might not concern, that he had, to borrow his own expression, “missed his life.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading And, as is usual with men who employ such a phrase, he imagined the miss had been in fortune, not in himself.