Chapter I

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

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

anew

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

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

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

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

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

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

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

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

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

a university in England

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

a period of 100 years

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

take exception to

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED GLASGOW: MACLEHOSE, JACKSON & CO.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

tending to bring about; being partly responsible for

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

plural of “essay” — an analytic or interpretive literary composition

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

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

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

something acquired without compensation

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

largest city in Scotland; a port on the Clyde in west central Scotland; one of the great shipbuilding centers of the world

From this reading LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED GLASGOW: MACLEHOSE, JACKSON & CO.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

kindness in welcoming guests or strangers

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

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

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

usually used of a face

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

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

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

English film actress who later became a member of British Parliament (born in 1936)

From this reading LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED GLASGOW: MACLEHOSE, JACKSON & CO.

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

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

a land imagined by Jonathan Swift that was inhabited by tiny people

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

small in range or scope

From this reading LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED GLASGOW: MACLEHOSE, JACKSON & CO.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED GLASGOW: MACLEHOSE, JACKSON & CO.

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

From this reading LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED GLASGOW: MACLEHOSE, JACKSON & CO.

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

From this reading LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED GLASGOW: MACLEHOSE, JACKSON & CO.

a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

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

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

coming next after the eighteenth in position

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

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

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

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 I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

deep-bodied sooty-black pelagic spiny-finned fish of the northern Atlantic and northern Pacific; valued for food

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

a fictitious name used when the person performs a particular social role

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

a new appraisal or evaluation

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

chosen in preference to another

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

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

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

carry out

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

-ing form of “thank” — express gratitude or show appreciation to

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

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

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

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

From this reading _Some of these essays have appeared in THE LONDON MERCURY, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE OUTLOOK, and THE CAMBRIDGE REVIEW.

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

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

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

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading Others again are the first-fruits of a current series of such things I am contributing to THE CHALLENGE under the general title of ‘New Papers from Lilliput.’

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

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

the act of using

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I take this opportunity of thanking all the editors concerned for their hospitality to these not, I trust, too ill-favoured bantlings of mine, and hope that they will not regret it if they should now chance to renew the acquaintance._ _J. B. P._ It has been said that literature must use its gift of praise or it will come to nothing.

a former large county in northern England; in 1974 it was divided into three smaller counties

From this reading Others have been selected from a large number I contributed (week by week, under the pseudonym of ‘Peter of Pomfret’) to the YORKSHIRE OBSERVER.