Chapter XVII

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

declared but not proved

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

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

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

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

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

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

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

prepare by brewing

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

possessive form of “bull” — uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

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

From this reading The Long Drink came in, I fancy, with Cremorne.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

plural of “cocktail” — a short mixed drink

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

the dead body of a human being

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

take in liquids

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

something many people believe that is false

From this reading The Long Drink came in, I fancy, with Cremorne.

enclose with a fence

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

plural of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

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

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

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

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

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

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

the act of consuming liquids

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

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

From this reading The Long Drink came in, I fancy, with Cremorne.

not producing an intended effect

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

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

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

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

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

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 THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

the force of workers available

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

used to form the superlative

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

no person; not anyone

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

in an original manner

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

in other respects or ways

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

anything with restorative powers

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

a medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

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

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

with restored energy

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

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

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

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

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

dry to sweet amber wine from the Jerez region of southern Spain or similar wines produced elsewhere; usually drunk as an aperitif

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

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

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

lacking freshness, palatability, or showing deterioration from age

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

not in physical motion

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

any of various tall frothy mixed drinks made usually of rum and lime juice and sugar shaken with ice

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

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

From this reading THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT The Long Drink — Cremorne Gardens — Hatfield — Assorted cocktails — Brandy-and-Soda — Otherwise Stone Fence — Bull’s milk — A burglar’s brew — More cocktails — A “swizzle” — L’Amour Poussée — A corpse reviver — A golden slipper — A heap of comfort.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

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

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

plural of “tumbler” — a gymnast who performs rolls and somersaults and twists etc.

From this reading Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

producing little or no profit or gain

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

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

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

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

From this reading And soda-water—one of the most ineffectual restoratives I know—was originally employed, under its pet name “sober water,” as a pick-me-up.

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 Our grandfathers knew not the Long Drink; the chief reason for this fact being that aërated water, and consequently large tumblers, had not been invented.

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

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

which person or people

From this reading At primæval Vauxhall men still refreshed themselves with glasses of alleged sherry, and with rummers of brandy-and-water—a flat, stale, and unprofitable potion, which nobody who is in complete possession of his faculties thinks of imbibing nowadays.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Long Drink came in, I fancy, with Cremorne.