Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

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

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

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

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

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

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

plural of “candidate” — a politician who is running for public office

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

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

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

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

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

a member of the United States House of Representatives

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

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

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

a vote to select the winner of a position or political office

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

preferred above all others and treated with partiality

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

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

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

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

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

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

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

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

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

a material effigy that is worshipped

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

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

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

a message received and understood

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

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

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

continue talking or writing in a desultory manner

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

with full knowledge and deliberation

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

the state of being a man; manly qualities

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

the force of workers available

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

being in opposition or having an opponent

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

from appearances alone

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

angered at something unjust or wrong

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

lacking in energy or will

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

with regard to social relationships involving authority

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

the place where people vote

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

a disputant who advocates reform

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

by religion

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

plural of “reward” — a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

disposed toward or having views based on what is right

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

a day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians; Saturday for the Jews and a few Christians; Friday for Muslims

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

past form of “sacrifice” — endure the loss of

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

plural of “spoil” — (usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war)

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

(of a contract or will or other document) having a signature written at the end

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

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

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

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

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

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

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

past form of “vote” — express one's preference for a candidate or for a measure or resolution; cast a vote

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

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

From this reading George Colfax was in an outraged frame of mind, and properly so.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Politically speaking, George was what might be called, for lack of a better term, a passive reformer.

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

From this reading He could talk knowingly, too, by the card, of the degeneracy of the public men of the nation, and had at his finger-ends inside information as to the manner in which President This or Congressman That had sacrificed the ideals of a vigorous manhood to the brass idol known as a second term.

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

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading He subscribed one dollar a year to the civil-service reform journal, and invariably voted on Election Day for the best men, cutting out in advance the names of the candidates favored by the Law and Order League of his native city, and carrying them to the polls in order to jog his memory.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading That is, he read religiously the New York _Nation_, was totally opposed to the spoils system of party rewards, and was ostensibly as right-minded a citizen as one would expect to find in a Sabbath day’s journey.