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Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853
Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853 is here in full — 406 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
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C.
"_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.
563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.
236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.
The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853 is here in full — 406 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
C.
/siː/
Line 2
"_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.
Line 3
563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.
Line 4
236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.
Line 5
The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

cudgel noun US /ˈkʌdʒəl/

a club that is used as a weapon

From this reading “The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.”

pillage noun US /ˈpɪlɪdʒ/

goods or money obtained illegally

From this reading “236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.”

postures noun US /ˈpɑːstʃərz/

plural of “posture” — the arrangement of the body and its limbs

From this reading “236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.”

reprint noun US /riˈprɪnt/

a publication (such as a book) that is reprinted without changes or editing and offered again for sale

From this reading “563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.”

Tailors noun US /ˈteɪlərz/

plural of “tailor” — a person whose occupation is making and altering garments

From this reading “"_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.”

taylors noun US /ˈteɪlərz/

plural of “taylor” — United States composer and music critic (1885-1966)

From this reading “236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.”

virago noun US /vɪˈrɑːɡoʊ/

a noisy or scolding or domineering woman

From this reading “236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.”

waylaid verb US /ˈweɪleɪd/

inflected form of “waylay” — wait in hiding to attack

From this reading “The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

other hand adjective + noun

In this reading “The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.”

certain person adjective + noun

In this reading “236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.”

servant maid noun + noun

In this reading “236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.”

on the road preposition + article + noun counted as “on … road”

travelling about

In this reading “236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.”

yielded up verb + adjective counted as “yield up”

surrender, as a result of pressure or force

In this reading “The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.”

presented at verb + particle counted as “present at”

In this reading “The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.”

work at verb + particle

to exert effort in order to do, make, or perform something

In this reading “236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.”

All words in this reading · 127

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

12

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

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

1726

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

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

236

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

390

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

From this reading "_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.

563

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

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading "_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.

accountnounUS /əˈkaʊnt/

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(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 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

animalsnounUS /ˈænəməlz/

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

ApollonounUS /əˈpɑːloʊ/

(Greek mythology) Greek god of light; god of prophecy and poetry and music and healing; son of Zeus and Leto; twin brother of Artemis

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/

formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

authorsnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

black-pudding

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

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

blunder-buss

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

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

boreverbUS /bɔːr/

cause to be bored

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

breastnounUS /brest/

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/

the people of Great Britain

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

CnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading C.

carry'd

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

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/

navigational instrument for finding directions

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

concealverbUS /kənˈsiːl/

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

cudgelnounUS /ˈkʌdʒəl/

a club that is used as a weapon

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

designnounUS /dɪˈzaɪn/

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

disciplin'd

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

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

dueadjectiveUS /duː/

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/

being one more than seven

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

encounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/

come together

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

extractverbUS /ˈekstrækt/

remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

finish'd

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

fitverbUS /fɪt/

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/

ranking above all others

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

happen'd

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

humorousadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmərəs/

full of or characterized by humor

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/

a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

leastadjectiveUS /liːst/

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

maidnounUS /meɪd/

a female domestic

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading "_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.

MannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading "_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

mathematicaladjectiveUS /ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl/

of or pertaining to or of the nature of mathematics

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

mistakingnounUS /mɪˈsteɪkɪŋ/

putting the wrong interpretation on

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

monounUS /moʊ/

an indefinitely short time

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

NinenounUS /naɪn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading "_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/

quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

pnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

philosophicaladjectiveUS /ˌfɪləˈsɑːfɪkəl/

of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

piecesnounUS /ˈpiːsəz/

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

pillagenounUS /ˈpɪlɪdʒ/

goods or money obtained illegally

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

posturesnounUS /ˈpɑːstʃərz/

plural of “posture” — the arrangement of the body and its limbs

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

pp

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

From this reading "_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.

presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

procuredverbUS /proʊˈkjʊrd/

past form of “procure” — get by special effort

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

propnounUS /prɑːp/

a support placed beneath or against something to keep it from shaking or falling

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

quality's

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

readilyadverbUS /ˈredəli/

without much difficulty

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/

-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

reprintnounUS /riˈprɪnt/

a publication (such as a book) that is reprinted without changes or editing and offered again for sale

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

resignationnounUS /ˌrezəɡˈneɪʃən/

acceptance of despair

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

resolv'd

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

roadnounUS /roʊd/

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

sayingnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋ/

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

servantnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənt/

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

shop-board

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

slender-built

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

TailorsnounUS /ˈteɪlərz/

plural of “tailor” — a person whose occupation is making and altering garments

From this reading "_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.

taylorsnounUS /ˈteɪlərz/

plural of “taylor” — United States composer and music critic (1885-1966)

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

terribleadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading 563.).--I extract the following humorous account of the origin of this saying from _The British Apollo_ (12mo., reprint of 1726, vol. i. p.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

tisnounUS /tɪz/

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

vinounUS /vaɪ/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading "_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.

viragonounUS /vɪˈrɑːɡoʊ/

a noisy or scolding or domineering woman

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

Vol

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

From this reading "_Nine Tailors make a Man_" (Vol. vi., pp. 390.

waylaidverbUS /ˈweɪleɪd/

inflected form of “waylay” — wait in hiding to attack

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

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

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading 236.): "It happen'd ('tis no great matter in what year) that eight taylors, having finish'd considerable pieces of work at a certain person of quality's house (whose name authors have thought fit to conceal), and receiving all the money due for the same, a virago servant maid of the house observing them to be but slender-built animals, and in their mathematical postures on their shop-board appearing but so many pieces of men, resolv'd to encounter and pillage them on the road.

yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/

past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of

From this reading The better to compass her design, she procured a very terrible great black-pudding, which (having waylaid them) she presented at the breast of the foremost: they, mistaking this prop of life for an instrument of death, at least a blunder-buss, readily yielded up their money; but she, not contented with that, severely disciplin'd them with a cudgel she carry'd in the other hand, all which they bore with a philosophical resignation.

Chapter 3 of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853 by Various holds 406 sentences, grouped into 82 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 3 of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853 contain?

Chapter 3 holds 406 sentences of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853, unabridged, divided into 82 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853 by Various exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 406 sentences, grouped into 82 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 3 of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853?

Work through the 82 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #42787, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 100 minutes of reading across 243 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853

Words and structures a reader meets early in Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Medium
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Inter-communication
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Literary
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Artists
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notes and Queries, Number 172, February 12, 1853; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.