Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

in an active manner

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

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

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

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

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

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

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

the way of administering a business

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

a specialized division of a large organization

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

plural of “department” — a specialized division of a large organization

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

wasting time

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

plural of “function” — (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

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

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

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

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

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

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

inflected form of “imply” — express or state indirectly

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

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

From this reading IN WHITEHALL.

plural of “income” — the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

-ing form of “minister” — attend to the wants and needs of others

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

in motion

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

plural of “munition” — weapons considered collectively

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

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

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

in a stubborn unregenerate manner

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

out of fashion

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

an amount of time

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

-ing form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

plural of “regard” — (usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

express in words

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

good at remembering

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

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

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

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

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

in the direction of

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

soldiers collectively

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

disposed to warfare or hard-line policies

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

plural of “war” — the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

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

From this reading The Military Munitions' department was one of a dozen or more seated at that period in and about Whitehall.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

having been taken in marriage

From this reading It was an office of good traditions: highly respectable, very old-fashioned, slow moving, not to say dilatory, but tenacious of its dignity as regards other departments, and obstinately wedded to its own way of conducting the business of the country.

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

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

at the time that

From this reading Its ostensible functions, as its title implied, were to supply warlike and other stores to the British army when actively engaged.

a wide street in London stretching from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament; site of many government offices

From this reading IN WHITEHALL.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading But as wars had been rare for nearly half-a-century it had done more during that time towards providing a number of worthy gentlemen with comfortable incomes than in ministering to the wants of troops in the field.