Chapter VIII

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

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

(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 I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

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

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

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

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

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

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

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

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

a person who exercises control over workers

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

plural of “boss” — a person who exercises control over workers

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

terminate

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

the leader of a group of people

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

possessive form of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

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

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

dearly loved

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

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

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

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

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

involving financial matters

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

plural of “foreigner” — a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

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

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

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

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

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

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

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

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

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

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

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

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

plural of “institution” — an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

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

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

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

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

plural of “millionaire” — a person whose material wealth is valued at more than a million dollars

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

as might be expected

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

above and across; more than

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

assume sponsorship of

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

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

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

cut with a saw

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

an educational institution

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

disposed of to a purchaser

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

a political organization within the Democratic Party in New York City (late 1800's and early 1900's) seeking political control by corruption and bossism

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

express in words

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

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

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

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

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

hard to endure

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

plural of “vote” — a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading He wanted to break into New York, so he opened an office, and gave a big block of stock to Richard Croker, at that time boss of Tammany Hall; he made another Tammany chieftain the head of his New York office--and that was all there was to it, he was “in,” and his firm took over the city’s business along that line, and all city officials and employes were given to understand that they must patronize it.

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

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

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

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

at the time that

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.

which person or people

From this reading The explanation given me in school was that it was the ignorant foreigners who crowded into our cities; they didn’t understand our institutions, they sold their votes, and delivered our political parties into the hands of bosses.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

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

From this reading It happened that I had a certain relative--I won’t tell his name, suffice it that he was a financial man, on his way to becoming one of our great millionaires.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading I lived in New York City, and saw that corruption all about me, and the hideous ruin of human lives; naturally I tried to figure out why these things had to be.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading MY DEAR JUDD: When I was a youth, trying to find out about my country, one of the first things I learned was that its politics were corrupt.