Chapter XI

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

From this reading A WARNING.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

a feeling of delighted approval and liking

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

a criminal who extorts money from someone by threatening to expose embarrassing information about them

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

a person who exercises control over workers

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

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

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

causing one to believe the truth of something

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

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

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

give expression to

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

the act of departing

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

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

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

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

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

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

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

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

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

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

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

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

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

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

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

freedom from control or influence of another or others

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

a person who rules or guides or inspires others

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

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

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

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

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

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

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

above and across; more than

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

possessive form of “owen” — Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

a human being

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

a leader engaged in civil administration

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

so unreasonable as to invite derision

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

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

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

-ing form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

the underside of footwear or a golf club

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

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

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

a special situation

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)

From this reading That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the outing seemed absurd.

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

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

a message informing of danger

From this reading A WARNING.

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

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

at the time that

From this reading It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was.

which person or people

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on his route.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Imagine any political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him a blackmailer.