Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

in addition

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

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

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

-ing form of “ascertain” — establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

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

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

(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 Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

to strive with determination

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

knitted jacket that is fastened up the front with buttons or a zipper

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

not methodically or according to plan

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

greatly desired

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

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

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

traveling across

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

plural of “enterprise” — a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

from a financial point of view

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

by good fortune

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

an authorization to sell a company's goods or services in a particular place

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

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

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

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

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

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

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

unusual largeness in size or extent or number

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

past form of “index” — list in an index

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

past form of “investigate” — investigate scientifically

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

press tightly together or cram

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

the head of a city government

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

force somebody to do something

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

with regard to social relationships involving authority

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

existing or coming before

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

-ing form of “prejudice” — disadvantage by prejudice

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

with speed

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

a slippery smoothness

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

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

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

the quality of happening with headlong haste or without warning

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading “And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'll get my fingers in the jam.

a residential part of town away from the central commercial district

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading “Got to run a sandy on the Mayor,” Buck soliloquized as he walked rapidly uptown.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

in or at the place that

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

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

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

during the time that

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get him to the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige me without prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get that temporary franchise.

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

From this reading Also he had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with a view to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he must devote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him, Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gained in other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled, was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casually given him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to the matter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night.