Chapter III

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

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

a small lightweight carriage; drawn by a single horse

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

plural of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

an abstract part of something

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

provided or supplied or equipped with (especially as by inheritance or nature)

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

qualified for by right according to law

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

record in a public office or in a court of law

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

feel or handle with the fingers

From this reading THE INDEX FINGER POINTS.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

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

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

a numerical scale used to compare variables with one another or with some reference number

From this reading THE INDEX FINGER POINTS.

clear or deep perception of a situation

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

a badge worn to show official position

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

promise of reimbursement in the case of loss; paid to people or companies so concerned about hazards that they have made prepayments to an insurance company

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

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 His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

place in proper rank

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

not any; not one

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

in an official role

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

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

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading THE INDEX FINGER POINTS.

following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

put in the mind of someone

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

something that remunerates

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

plural of “salute” — an act of honor or courteous recognition

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

plural of “serve” — (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

required or under orders

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

moving very fast

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading THE INDEX FINGER POINTS.

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

From this reading In fact, he drew a comfortable salary for pursuing no other occupation than this.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

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

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

plural of “underwriter” — a banker who deals chiefly in underwriting new securities

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

(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 A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

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

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

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

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

which person or people

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.

in the company of; together with

From this reading John Davidson, the marshal, was officially supposed to be endowed with insight into the origin of fires.

made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole

From this reading A swift horse and a buggy enabled him to be among the first to arrive and a uniform of dark blue cloth, such as old sailors cling to, but with brass buttons for insignia in place of the little woven anchor that serves to remind the old salt of his element, entitled him to salutes from fire captains as well as from the rank and file.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading His written reports were read by insurance underwriters, and his wise shake of the head went a great way with those who knew little about fires and less about John Davidson.