Chapter V · Town Talk

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

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

plural of “adjective” — a word that expresses an attribute of something

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

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

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

feeling or expressive of gratitude

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

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

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

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

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

plural of “ass” — the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

a central cohesive source of support and stability

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

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

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

braying characteristic of donkeys

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

talk or utter in a cackling manner

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

-ing form of “clatter” — make a rattling sound

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.

pressed tightly together

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

(comparative of “few” used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

your parents

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

a man of refinement

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

in an enthusiastically glowing manner

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

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

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

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

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.

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

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

plural of “hen” — adult female chicken

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

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

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

not in action or at work

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

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

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.

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

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

the style in which newspapers are written

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

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 obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

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

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

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

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

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

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

plural of “notice” — an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

above and across; more than

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

having a slight and rapid trembling motion

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

plural of “period” — an amount of time

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

more desirable than another

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

past form of “relish” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

express in words

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

being ten more than fifty

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

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

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

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

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

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

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

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

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

under normal conditions

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint

From this reading David preferred the old man’s own version, which had fewer adjectives and a great deal more backbone.

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

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

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

From this reading The obituary notices of old Mr. Mottisfont which appeared in due course in the two local papers were of a glowingly appreciative nature, and at least as accurate as such notices usually are.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading As long as idle dogs will bark, and idle asses bray, As long as hens will cackle over every egg they lay, So long will folks be chattering, And idle tongues be clattering, For the less there is to talk about, the more there is to say.

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

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.

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

From this reading David could not help thinking how much the old gentleman would have relished the fine phrases and the flowing periods.

a late time of life

From this reading Sixty years of hard work were compressed into two and a half columns of palpitating journalese.