Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

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

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

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

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

a formal public statement

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

plural of “applicant” — a person who requests or seeks something such as assistance or employment or admission

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

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

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

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

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

for the reason that

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading No, adventure is certainly not dead—not while one receives letters that begin:

bearing a heavy burden of work or difficulties or responsibilities

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

a period of 100 years

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

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

From this reading No, adventure is certainly not dead—not while one receives letters that begin:

rid of obstructions

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

communication by the exchange of letters

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

your usual mood

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

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

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

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

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

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

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

close in time; about to occur

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

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

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

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

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

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 Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

archaic terms for army

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

the literary culture

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

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

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

plural of “marriage” — the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

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

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

the force of workers available

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

not any; not one

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

established beyond doubt

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of

From this reading No, adventure is certainly not dead—not while one receives letters that begin:

new

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

express in words

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

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

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

a male human offspring

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

in the near future

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

travel by means of steam power

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

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

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

causing difficulty in breathing especially through lack of fresh air and presence of heat

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

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

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading ADVENTURE No, adventure is not dead, and in spite of the steam engine and of Thomas Cook & Son.

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

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

position 20 in a countable series of things

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

(Roman mythology) Roman spelling for Odysseus

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

past form of “volunteer” — tell voluntarily

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

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

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

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

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

at the time that

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

during the time that

From this reading No, adventure is certainly not dead—not while one receives letters that begin:

which person or people

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why, among my personal friends there were at least half a dozen who regretted their recent or imminent marriages; and there was one marriage I know of that almost failed to come off because of the _Snark_.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Every mail to me was burdened with the letters of applicants who were suffocating in the “man-stifled towns,” and it soon dawned upon me that a twentieth century Ulysses required a corps of stenographers to clear his correspondence before setting sail.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.

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

From this reading When the announcement of the contemplated voyage of the _Snark_ was made, young men of “roving disposition” proved to be legion, and young women as well—to say nothing of the elderly men and women who volunteered for the voyage.