Chapter VIII

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

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

a theatrical performer

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

plural of “addition” — a component that is added to something to improve it

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a public promotion of some product or service

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

anew

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

in addition

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading THE AMERICAN MUSEUM.

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

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

plural of “anecdote” — short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

in a bland manner

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

a table (in a restaurant or bar) surrounded by two high-backed benches

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

United States explorer who (with Meriwether Lewis) led an expedition from St. Louis to the mouth of the Columbia River; Clark was responsible for making maps of the area (1770-1838)

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

plural of “curiosity” — a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

plural of “dinner” — the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

plural of “director” — someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

provide entertainment for

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

the act of forming or establishing something

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a former president

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

creating or arousing excitement

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

extremely pleasing

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

set up or found

From this reading I went, and found the directors in session.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

engage or hire for work

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

plural of “imitation” — the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading I went, and found the directors in session.

plural of “incident” — a single distinct event

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a search for knowledge

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

a native or inhabitant of Japan

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

staying power

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

put together out of artificial or natural components or parts

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

come together

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

and nothing more

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

half woman and half fish; lives in the sea

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

a depository for collecting and displaying objects having scientific or historical or artistic value

From this reading THE AMERICAN MUSEUM.

plural of “museum” — a depository for collecting and displaying objects having scientific or historical or artistic value

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

waterfall in Canada is the Horseshoe Falls; in the United States it is the American Falls

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

plural of “novelty” — originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

plural of “patron” — a regular customer

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

giving pleasure and satisfaction

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

professing to be qualified

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

(logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

-ing form of “request” — express the need or desire for

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

something that remunerates

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

cut with a saw

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a meeting for execution of a group's functions

From this reading I went, and found the directors in session.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

clearly and explicitly stated

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

firework consisting of a tube filled with powder (as a broken firecracker) that burns with a fizzing noise

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a quantity of money

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading THE AMERICAN MUSEUM.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

one who stays for only a short time

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

plural of “trapper” — someone who sets traps for animals (usually to obtain their furs)

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

the act of using

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

impressive by reason of age

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

with vigor; in a vigorous manner

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

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

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading I went, and found the directors in session.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

at the time that

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.

which person or people

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

at a wholesale price

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

plural of “wonder” — the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

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

From this reading A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The venerable president of the board, who was also the ex-president of a broken bank, blandly proposed to hire me to manage the united museums, and though I saw that he merely meant to buy my silence, I professed to entertain the proposition, and in reply to an inquiry as to what salary I should expect, I specified the sum of $3,000 a year.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading My newspaper squib war against the Peale combination was vigorously kept up; when one morning, about the first of December, I received a letter from the Secretary of that company (now calling itself the “New York Museum Company,”) requesting me to meet the directors at the Museum on the following Monday morning.