1770
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/
the quality of being near to the true value
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
appointmentsnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənts/
plural of “appointment” — the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
astronomernounUS /əˈstrɑːnəmər/
a physicist who studies astronomy
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
astronomersnounUS /əˈstrɑːnəmərz/
plural of “astronomer” — a physicist who studies astronomy
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
attendancenounUS /əˈtendəns/
the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.)
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
for the reason that
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
a period of 100 years
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
cometnounUS /ˈkɑːmət/
(astronomy) a relatively small extraterrestrial body consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun in a highly elliptical orbit
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
cometsnounUS /ˈkɑːməts/
plural of “comet” — (astronomy) a relatively small extraterrestrial body consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun in a highly elliptical orbit
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəs/
having or expressing desire for something
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
eccentricadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsentrɪk/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
at any time
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
to an extreme degree
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
for this reason
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
inventus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
lengthyadjectiveUS /ˈleŋθi/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
localitynounUS /loʊˈkæləti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
luminousadjectiveUS /ˈluːmənəs/
softly bright or radiant
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
namingnounUS /ˈneɪmɪŋ/
the verbal act of naming
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
not any; not one
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
nonadverbUS /nɑːn/
negation of a word or group of words
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
outlandishadjectiveUS /aʊtˈlændɪʃ/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
outlawedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlɔːd/
contrary to or forbidden by law
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
periodicalnounUS /ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkəl/
a publication that appears at fixed intervals
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
periodicalsnounUS /ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkəlz/
plural of “periodical” — a publication that appears at fixed intervals
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
perplexingadjectiveUS /pərˈpleksɪŋ/
lacking clarity of meaning; causing confusion or perplexity
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
posteritynounUS /pɑːˈsterəti/
all of the offspring of a given progenitor
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
predictingverbUS /prɪˈdɪktɪŋ/
-ing form of “predict” — make a prediction about; tell in advance
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
predictionnounUS /priˈdɪkʃən/
the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
prophesyverb
predict or reveal through, or as if through, divine inspiration
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
realizationnounUS /ˈriːləˈzeɪʃən/
coming to understand something clearly and distinctly
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
safestadjectiveUS /ˈseɪfəst/
superlative of “safe” — free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
shamefullyadverb
in a dishonorable manner or to a dishonorable degree
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
solaradjectiveUS /ˈsoʊlər/
relating to or derived from the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
stipulateverbUS /ˈstɪpjəleɪt/
specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Comets are generally called periodical bodies because their tails are so exceedingly lengthy, like those which are continued from month to month in some of the periodicals.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
unbusinesslike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
unpunctuality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The safest mode of predicting a comet is to prophesy its appearance at least a century hence, and something luminous is pretty sure to turn up, to enable posterity to find something like a realization of the prediction.
precisely as stated
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
in or at the place that
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The comet of 1770 has very shamefully broken its appointments with the astronomers, and shown a degree of unpunctuality which is no less perplexing than it is unbusinesslike.
witnessesnounUS /ˈwɪtnəsəz/
plural of “witness” — someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading Any astronomer desirous of naming an earlier day for the appearance of a comet should stipulate for its being visible at some outlandish locality, where no witnesses will be in attendance to test the accuracy of the prediction.
a late time of life
From this reading The comet ought to have entered an appearance, according to the law of comets, every five years and a half; but the eccentric body has been _non inventus_ ever since, and we should be glad to see it regularly outlawed from the solar system.
