Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs)

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

anew

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

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

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

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

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

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

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

in a state of sleep

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

a man who lives on the frontier

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

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

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

for the reason that

From this reading He had called them because they were indispensable.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Behind the scenes in his Cabinet reigned confusion incredible.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading Behind the scenes in his Cabinet reigned confusion incredible.

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

From this reading He had called them because they were indispensable.

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

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

go after with the intent to catch

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading Behind the scenes in his Cabinet reigned confusion incredible.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

plural of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

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

From this reading He had called them because they were indispensable.

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

From this reading He had called them because they were indispensable.

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

From this reading Behind the scenes in his Cabinet reigned confusion incredible.

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

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

the act of starting a new operation or practice

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

beyond belief or understanding

From this reading Behind the scenes in his Cabinet reigned confusion incredible.

not to be dispensed with; essential

From this reading He had called them because they were indispensable.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

plural of “issue” — an important question that is in dispute and must be settled

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

like the discordant ringing of nonmusical metallic objects striking together

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

for more time

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

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

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

not any; not one

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

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

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

out of fashion

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

above and across; more than

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

by chance

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

past form of “preside” — act as president

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

the tenure of a president

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

past form of “reign” — have sovereign power

From this reading Behind the scenes in his Cabinet reigned confusion incredible.

inflected form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading Behind the scenes in his Cabinet reigned confusion incredible.

United States politician who as Secretary of State in 1867 arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia (known at the time as Seward's Folly) (1801-1872)

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

being ten more than fifty

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

denying or questioning the tenets of especially a religion

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

expressive of contempt

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

not in physical motion

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

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

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had called them because they were indispensable.

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

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had called them because they were indispensable.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

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

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

in the direction of

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

activity leading to skilled behavior

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

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

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading JANGLING VOICES The roar of the Inauguration passed, and Washington was itself again--an old-fashioned Southern town of sixty thousand inhabitants, no longer asleep perhaps, but still aristocratic, skeptical, sneering in its attitude toward the new administration.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

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

From this reading He had called them because they were indispensable.

which person or people

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.

the basic unit of money in South Korea

From this reading Now that the issues were to be faced, Mr. Seward, Mr. Chase, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Bates realized that the country lawyer who had won the Presidency over their superior claims knew his weakness and relied on their strength, training, and long experience in public affairs.

an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)

From this reading The tall dark backwoodsman who presided over these wrangling giants appeared at first to their superior wisdom a dazed spectator.