Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

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

From this reading AN AUTHOR'S TRIALS.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

any thing at all

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

possessive form of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AN AUTHOR'S TRIALS.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

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

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

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

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

with eagerness; in an eager manner

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

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

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

qualified for by right according to law

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

divisible by two

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

the organ of sight

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

set up or found

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

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

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

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

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

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

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

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

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

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

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

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

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

an event that happens

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

go across or through

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

by chance

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

on the contrary

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

past form of “result” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

express in words

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

in the near future

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading When he rose from the table he knew that every eye was upon him, and that each one present expected to hear him say something relative to the brain-effort he was making.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

plural of “trial” — the act of testing something

From this reading AN AUTHOR'S TRIALS.

up to a particular time

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

precisely as stated

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

out of your own free will

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

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

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.

at the time that

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

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

From this reading Whether he was entitled to it or not, he had some considerable fame as an author, and for that reason he had taken upon himself, voluntarily and even eagerly, the task of preparing an original play for the great event; which goes to show, perhaps, more than anything else, that Mopsey's fame resulted from chance rather than merit.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading When the dinner was ended--and the members of the dramatic company made short work of it in order to begin their professional duties as soon as possible--Mopsey Dowd fully realized that he was about to pass in judgment before his partners.

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

From this reading He was a genius, and would be until his friends found him out, which occurrence would not be very far off if he should say anything then, for the very good reason that he did not know what to say.