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 Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

later than; following

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

anew

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

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

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

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

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

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

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

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

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

one who reveals confidential information in return for money

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

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

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

a former province of eastern France that is famous for its wines

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

a clergyman ministering to some institution

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

group of people related by blood or marriage

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

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

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

a short heavy curved sword with one edge; formerly used by sailors

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

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

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

divisible by two

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

the first wale laid next to the keel of a wooden ship

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

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

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

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

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

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

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

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

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

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

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

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

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

the left side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

a commissioned military officer

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

steadfast in allegiance or duty

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

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

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

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

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

plural of “mouser” — a cat proficient at mousing

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

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

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

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

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

not any; not one

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

and nothing more

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

the act of making a noisy disturbance

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

express in words

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

an unbroken series of events

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

the words of something written

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

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

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

comparative of “tight” — closely constrained or constricted or constricting

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

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

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

male cat

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading No blabber, no, not even with the can— True to himself and loyal to his clan.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

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

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Tom blessed us starboard and d—d us larboard, Right down from rail to the streak o’ the garboard.

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

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

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

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

celebrate noisily, often indulging in drinking; engage in uproarious festivities

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

at the time that

From this reading Tom was lieutenant in the brig-o’-war famed When an officer was hung for an arch-mutineer, But a mystery cleaved, and the captain was blamed, And a rumpus too raised, though his honor it was clear.

which person or people

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

but in spite of that

From this reading Nor less, wife, we liked him.—Tom was a man In contrast queer with Chaplain Le Fan, Who blessed us at morn, and at night yet again, D—ning us only in decorous strain; Preaching ’tween the guns—each cutlass in its place— From text that averred old Adam a hard case.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading And Tom he would say, when the mousers would try him, And with cup after cup o’ Burgundy ply him: “Gentlemen, in vain with your wassail you beset, For the more I tipple, the tighter do I get.”