Chapter XXIV · The Convention: The News

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

(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 He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

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

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

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

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

measured by an angle or by the rate of change of an angle

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

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

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

of black tinged with blue

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

a person who exercises control over workers

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

the protruding part of the lower jaw

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

someone with a promising future

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

in a decent manner

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

lighted by or as if by twilight

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

opinion or judgment

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

a social unit living together

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

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

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

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

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

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

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

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

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

having a lower than normal ceiling

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

a very wealthy or powerful businessman

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

the force of workers available

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

many times at short intervals

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

the state of being a parent

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

never-ceasing

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

expressing sorrow

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

first in rank or degree

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

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

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

any competition

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

possessive form of “robin” — small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

an external body part consisting of feathers or hair about the neck of a bird or other animal

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

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

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

not moving or operating freely

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

not in physical motion

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

filled with or marked by tears

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Mr. Beekman was a tall, angular man, past the prime of life, as was shown by the gray in his thick hair, curling at the ends, and in the stiff, projecting ruff of beard under his chin.

past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

the process of paying close and continuous attention

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

From this reading He had never been a wealthy man, though he came of a family decently supplied with substance, and of long settlement in the county.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading He was almost wholly Dutch in parentage--of that silent, persistent, quietly-masterful race which, despite all the odds, has still held more than its own in Stuyvesant’s State--and the descent showed itself in the dusky hue of his skin.

in the company of; together with

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading There were two strange men in the low-ceilinged, grimly-furnished “settin’ room,” as Milton was ushered into the presence of the Boss, but at a gesture from this magnate they went out; the Boss surveyed the new comer without a word of greeting or comment.

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

From this reading His face was thin, hungry, with a plaintive effect of deep lines, and his great blue-black eyes were often tearful, like a young robin’s, in their intent watchfulness.