Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

anew

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

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

From this reading Mr. Ratler, by the time that prayers had been read, had become almost certain of success.

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

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

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

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

eagerly desirous

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

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

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

having a back or backing, usually of a specified type

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

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

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Mr. Ratler, by the time that prayers had been read, had become almost certain of success.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

an occurrence of something

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Mr. Ratler, by the time that prayers had been read, had become almost certain of success.

plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

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

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

characterized by great determination

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

open to doubt or suspicion

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

possessive form of “gresham” — English financier (1519-1579)

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

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

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

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

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

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

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

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

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

plural of “liberal” — a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

plural of “merit” — any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

not any; not one

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading Mr. Ratler, by the time that prayers had been read, had become almost certain of success.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

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

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

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

From this reading Mr. Ratler, by the time that prayers had been read, had become almost certain of success.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Mr. Ratler, by the time that prayers had been read, had become almost certain of success.

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading Mr. Ratler, by the time that prayers had been read, had become almost certain of success.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

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

From this reading THE UNIVERSE.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

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

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

propel through the air

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Mr. Ratler, by the time that prayers had been read, had become almost certain of success.

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

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading THE UNIVERSE.

precisely as stated

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

plural of “vote” — a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative

From this reading He would be backed by a majority of votes, and it might have been very doubtful whether such would have been the case had he attempted to throw out the Bill on its merits.

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

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.

which person or people

From this reading There were very few Liberals in the House who were not anxious to declare by their votes that they had no confidence in Mr. Daubeny.

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

From this reading Before the House met again the quidnuncs about the clubs, on both sides of the question, had determined that Mr. Gresham's speech, whether good or not as an effort of oratory, would serve its intended purpose.