Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

anew

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

having a strong desire for success or achievement

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading AN EVENING AT THE "GOOSE AND GRIDIRON."

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

From this reading AN EVENING AT THE "GOOSE AND GRIDIRON."

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

plural of “aspirant” — an ambitious and aspiring young person

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AN EVENING AT THE "GOOSE AND GRIDIRON."

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

inflected form of “copy” — copy down as is

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

plural of “debater” — someone who engages in debate

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

-ing form of “debate” — argue with one another

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading They divided themselves into parties, of which each had an ostensible leader.

exercising influence or control

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading They divided themselves into parties, of which each had an ostensible leader.

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

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

divisible by two

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading AN EVENING AT THE "GOOSE AND GRIDIRON."

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

assemble or get together

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks

From this reading AN EVENING AT THE "GOOSE AND GRIDIRON."

a cooking utensil of parallel metal bars; used to grill fish or meat

From this reading AN EVENING AT THE "GOOSE AND GRIDIRON."

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading They divided themselves into parties, of which each had an ostensible leader.

only a very short time before

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

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

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

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

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

an indirect (and usually malicious) implication

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They divided themselves into parties, of which each had an ostensible leader.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

a person who rules or guides or inspires others

From this reading They divided themselves into parties, of which each had an ostensible leader.

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading They divided themselves into parties, of which each had an ostensible leader.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading They divided themselves into parties, of which each had an ostensible leader.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

by chance

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

plural of “practice” — a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

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

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

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

From this reading AN EVENING AT THE "GOOSE AND GRIDIRON."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In some respects they did so, and were perhaps even servile in their imitation.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They divided themselves into parties, of which each had an ostensible leader.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

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

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

the act of adding decoration

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

worthy of trust or belief

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

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

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.

a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

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

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

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

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

which person or people

From this reading Those political debaters who met together weekly at the "Goose and Gridiron" were certainly open to the insinuation that they copied the practices of another debating society, which held its sittings farther west.

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

From this reading But then there was always some ambitious but hardly trustworthy member who endeavoured to gather round him a third party which might become dominant by trimming between the other two; and he again would find the ground cut from beneath his feet by new aspirants.