Chapter II

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

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

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

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

From this reading THE AMPHITRITE.

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading Blind Willy's to play on the fiddle.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

having made preparations

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow

From this reading Blind Willy's to play on the fiddle.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

plural of “grind” — an insignificant student who is ridiculed as being affected or boringly studious

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

with gusto and without reservation

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

round one's back by bending forward and drawing the shoulders forward

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

a small worthless amount

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

plural of “knife” — edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

plural of “mug” — the quantity that can be held in a mug

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

participate in games or sport

From this reading Blind Willy's to play on the fiddle.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

plural of “razor” — edge tool used in shaving

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

have in common

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

express in words

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

up to a particular time

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

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

From this reading Blind Willy's to play on the fiddle.

male cat

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

accept gladly

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

at the time that

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

in or at the place that

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

which person or people

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading Blind Willy's to play on the fiddle.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

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

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

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

From this reading And there will be Sam the quack doctor, Of skill and profession he'll crack; And Jack who would fain be a soldier, But for a great hump on his back; And Tom in the streets, for his living, Who grinds razors, scissors, and knives; And two or three merry old women, That call "Mugs and doublers, wives!"

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.

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

From this reading But neighbours, I'd almost forgot, For to tell ye--exactly at one, The dinner will be on the table, The music will play till it's done: When you'll be all heartily welcome, Of this merry feast for to share; But if you won't come at this bidding, Why then you may stay where you are.