Chapter I

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

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

abundant wealth

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

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

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

plural of “banker” — a financier who owns or is an executive in a bank

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

for the reason that

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

plural of “caprice” — a sudden desire

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

showing careful forethought

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

plural of “drama” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

suffering from dyspepsia

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

past form of “enact” — order by virtue of superior authority; decree

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

plural of “family” — a social unit living together

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

the decade from 1950 to 1959

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

serving as an essential component

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

marked by refinement in taste and manners

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

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

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

in an attractively handsome manner

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

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

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

easily irritated or annoyed

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

very generous

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

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

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

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

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

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

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

and nothing more

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

bring forth or yield

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

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

From this reading Of these were the Ralstons.

inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

subject to a ruling authority

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

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

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

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

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

plural of “shipbuilder” — a carpenter who helps build and launch wooden vessels

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

the quality of being simple or uncompounded

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

moving slowly

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

having only essential or minimal features

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

that is on a string

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

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

From this reading In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Of these were the Ralstons.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

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

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

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

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

comparative of “tight” — closely constrained or constricted or constricting

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

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

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

under the level of the ground

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

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

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

properly nourished

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

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

From this reading Of these were the Ralstons.

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

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

which person or people

From this reading Those well-fed slow-moving people, who seemed irritable and dyspeptic to European eyes only because the caprices of the climate had stripped them of superfluous flesh, and strung their nerves a little tighter, lived in a genteel monotony of which the surface was never stirred by the dumb dramas now and then enacted underground.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading To “do things handsomely” had always been a fundamental principle in this cautious world, built up on the fortunes of bankers, India merchants, shipbuilders and ship-chandlers.

but in spite of that

From this reading The sturdy English and the rubicund and heavier Dutch had mingled to produce a prosperous, prudent and yet lavish society.

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 In the old New York of the ’fifties a few families ruled, in simplicity and affluence.