Chapter VIII

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

highly flammable substance made from cellulose nitrate and camphor; used in e.g. motion-picture and X-ray film; its use has decreased with the development of nonflammable thermoplastics

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

clothing in general

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

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

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

plural of “cuff” — the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

of metal e.g.

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

worn away or tattered along the edges

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery)

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

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

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

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

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

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

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

mended usually clumsily by covering a hole with a patch

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

-ing form of “salute” — propose a toast to

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

express in words

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

(usually plural) a fragment scraped off of something and collected

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

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

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

in a spotless manner

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

in or at that place or location

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

a special situation

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

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

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

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

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

a source of difficulty

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

not neat and tidy

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

precisely as stated

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

provide with power and authority

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

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

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)

From this reading Strange to say, his collar and cuffs were spotlessly clean, and presented quite a contrast to his very untidy face and clothes; but then, celluloid is easy to clean; much less trouble than washing the face.

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

From this reading His hair was grey and thin, and his face was not very clean; there were signs of tobacco at the corners of his mouth.

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

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

in the company of; together with

From this reading CELLULOID CUFFS AND A SILK HAT The door opened, and there entered a poor-looking elderly man, bowing and scraping as he came, and saluting the company with an old rusty dented tall hat which he carried in his hand.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading The most striking thing about him was that he had a wooden leg.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading His clothes were frayed and patched, and there was a good deal of grease on his vest; he wore a celluloid collar without any necktie, and round celluloid cuffs; his coat-sleeves were much too short, and his cuffs hung out certainly three inches.