Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

(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 Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

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

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

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

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

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

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

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

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

a grant made by a law court

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

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

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

United States writer and humorist best known for his novels about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (1835-1910)

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

say something to someone that expresses praise

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

have a conference in order to talk something over

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

a business firm whose articles of incorporation have been approved in some state

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

plural of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

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

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

a quad with a square body

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

give expression to

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

a boy or man

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

let have

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

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

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

United States writer and editor (1837-1920)

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

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

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

having the identity known or established

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

of great significance or value

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

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

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

in the recent past

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

the literary culture

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

engage in

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

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

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

not any; not one

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

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

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

above and across; more than

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

formally made public

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

precisely, exactly

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

express in words

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

denote or connote

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

and nothing more

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

without any others being included or involved

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

past form of “tender” — offer or present for acceptance

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

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

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

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

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

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

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

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

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

possessive form of “twain” — two items of the same kind

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

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

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

not mixed with impurities

From this reading Their action will appropriately signify simply and solely their estimate of your merit and rank as a man of letters, and so, as I say, the compliment of it will be of the pure, unadulterated quality.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

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

From this reading It was Mark Twain's second Yale degree, and it was the highest rank that an American institution of learning could confer.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

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

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading They grant, of course, your right to hold and express those views, though for themselves they don't like 'em; but in awarding you the proposed laurel they will make no count of that whatever.

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

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

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

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

a university in Connecticut

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Both Howells and Clemens were made doctors of letters by Yale that year and went over in October to receive their degrees.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Twichell wrote: I want you to understand, old fellow, that it will be in its intention the highest public compliment, and emphatically so in your case, for it will be tendered you by a corporation of gentlemen, the majority of whom do not at all agree with the views on important questions which you have lately promulgated in speech and in writing, and with which you are identified to the public mind.