Chapter XIII · The Vendue

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

plural of “accommodation” — making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

later than; following

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

(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 “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

an agent who conducts an auction

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a large bundle bound for storage or transport

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

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

From this reading There was to be a sale of prime slaves that day.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

plural of “believer” — a supporter who accepts something as true

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

the sacred writings of the Christian religions

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

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

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

the coloring of a person's face

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

plural of “dare” — a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading There was to be a sale of prime slaves that day.

breaking up and scattering by dispersion

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

move gently or carefully

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

one or the other of two

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

third-person singular of “gratify” — make happy or satisfied

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

an established custom

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a fictitious detective in stories by A. Conan Doyle

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

third-person singular of “impart” — transmit (knowledge or skills)

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

the Arab prophet who, according to Islam, was the last messenger of Allah (570-632)

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

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

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

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

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

the ancient prophet whose writings were revealed to Joseph Smith who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

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

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

plural of “offer” — the verbal act of offering

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

on one occasion

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

and nothing more

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a person of authority who subjects others to undue pressures

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

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

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

inspiring mixed contempt and pity

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

famous chief of the Ottawa who led an unsuccessful rebellion against the British (1715-1769)

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

first in rank or degree

From this reading There was to be a sale of prime slaves that day.

plural of “privilege” — a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

make a promise or commitment

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

on the contrary

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a murderer who slashes the victims with a knife

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a particular instance of selling

From this reading There was to be a sale of prime slaves that day.

a platform from which criminals are executed (hanged or beheaded)

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

tending to entice into a desired action or state

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

of superior grade

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

quiet, dark, or concealed

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

the state of being under the control of another person

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone

From this reading There was to be a sale of prime slaves that day.

inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

impressive in appearance

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

United States sociologist (1840-1910)

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was to be a sale of prime slaves that day.

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was to be a sale of prime slaves that day.

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

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

From this reading There was to be a sale of prime slaves that day.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.

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

From this reading About a month after the explosion of the Pontiac, a select company were assembled, one beautiful morning in June, under a stately palmetto-tree in front of the auction store of Messrs. Ripper & Co. in New Orleans, and on the shady side of the street.

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

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

which person or people

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

in the company of; together with

From this reading A chair with a table before it, flanked on either side by a bale of cotton, afforded accommodations for the ceremony.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading “A queen on a scaffold is not so pitiful a sight as a woman on the auction-block.”—_Charles Sumner._ “Slavery gratifies at once the love of power, the love of money, and the love of ease; it finds a victim for anger who cannot smite back his oppressor, and it offers to all, without measure, the seductive privileges which the Mormon gospel reserves for the true believers on earth, and the Bible of Mahomet only dares promise to the saints in heaven.”—_O. W. Holmes._

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

From this reading Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer, was a young man, rather handsome, and well dressed, but with that flushed complexion and telltale expression of the eyes which a habit of dissipation generally imparts to its victims.