Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

later than; following

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

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

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading It was near eleven, and the breakfast things were still on the table.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading The Committee met at twelve, and he intended to walk down to the Reform Club, and then to the House.

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

a piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading He had just completed his reading of the debate and of the leaders in the _Telegraph_ on the subject.

argue with one another

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The Committee met at twelve, and he intended to walk down to the Reform Club, and then to the House.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

the system of production and distribution and consumption

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

being one more than ten

From this reading It was near eleven, and the breakfast things were still on the table.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

an act that fails

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

used as intensifiers

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

without bounds

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading The Committee met at twelve, and he intended to walk down to the Reform Club, and then to the House.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was near eleven, and the breakfast things were still on the table.

and nothing more

From this reading He had just completed his reading of the debate and of the leaders in the _Telegraph_ on the subject.

the body of people who lead a group

From this reading He had just completed his reading of the debate and of the leaders in the _Telegraph_ on the subject.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading The Committee met at twelve, and he intended to walk down to the Reform Club, and then to the House.

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

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

used to form the superlative

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading It was near eleven, and the breakfast things were still on the table.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

on one occasion

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

plural of “pea” — seed of a pea plant used for food

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

of plants; planted or grown in a pot

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

acting or arriving or performed exactly at the time appointed

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

a remark that calls attention to something or someone

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses

From this reading The Committee met at twelve, and he intended to walk down to the Reform Club, and then to the House.

determined

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was near eleven, and the breakfast things were still on the table.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading He had just completed his reading of the debate and of the leaders in the _Telegraph_ on the subject.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading It was near eleven, and the breakfast things were still on the table.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The Committee met at twelve, and he intended to walk down to the Reform Club, and then to the House.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading It was near eleven, and the breakfast things were still on the table.

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

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading The Committee met at twelve, and he intended to walk down to the Reform Club, and then to the House.

not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

the act of using

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

precisely as stated

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading The Committee met at twelve, and he intended to walk down to the Reform Club, and then to the House.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading It was near eleven, and the breakfast things were still on the table.

at the time that

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

the words that are spoken

From this reading “Do be punctual” On the very morning after his failure in the House of Commons, when Phineas was reading in the _Telegraph_,--he took the _Telegraph_ not from choice but for economy,--the words of that debate which he had heard and in which he should have taken a part, a most unwelcome visit was paid to him.

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

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He was at this time on a Committee of the House with reference to the use of potted peas in the army and navy, at which he had sat once,--at a preliminary meeting,--and in reference to which he had already resolved that as he had failed so frightfully in debate, he would certainly do his duty to the utmost in the more easy but infinitely more tedious work of the Committee Room.