Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

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

From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.

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

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

in addition

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

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

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

a formal public statement

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.

past form of “aspire” — have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

(Roman Catholic Church) a church father known for his constant fight against perceived heresies; a saint and Doctor of the Church (329-391)

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

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

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

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

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.

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

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

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

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

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

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

a university degree with honors

From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.

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

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

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

From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.

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

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

a form of address for a man

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

not any; not one

From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

relating to or having the nature of a parliament

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

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

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

term of address for a man

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

in the near future

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

be standing; be upright

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

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

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

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

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

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

From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

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

From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

an English dynasty descended from Henry Tudor; Tudor monarchs ruled from Henry VII to Elizabeth I (from 1485 to 1603)

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

in an unnatural way

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

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

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.

precisely as stated

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.

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

From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.

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

From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.

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

From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.