Chapter XIV · A Letter

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

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

affirming or giving assent

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

later than; following

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

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

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

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

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

-ing form of “applaud” — clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

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

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

plural of “cellar” — the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

steadiness of mind under stress

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

dearly loved

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

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

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram

From this reading This was the note: “Mr. G. Hyde Bigelow.

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

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

arranged into groups

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

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

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

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

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

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

From this reading This was the note: “Mr. G. Hyde Bigelow.

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

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

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

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

set down according to a plan

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

immediately past

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a brief written record

From this reading This was the note: “Mr. G. Hyde Bigelow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

the activity of protecting something from loss or danger

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

denote or connote

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

term of address for a man

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.

move stealthily

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

plural of “speaker” — someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

-ing form of “stamp” — walk heavily

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a residential district located on the outskirts of a city

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

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

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

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

From this reading This was the note: “Mr. G. Hyde Bigelow.

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

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

past form of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage

From this reading The Chairman unfolded it, read it with great composure, and inclined his head to signify an affirmative reply.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading An usher mounted the platform and laid a folded slip of paper on the table.

with vigor; in a vigorous manner

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

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

From this reading This was the note: “Mr. G. Hyde Bigelow.

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

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Mr. Bigelow sat in the chair: behind and around him were the speakers of the evening, grouped with the Committee of the Society of the Preservation of the Home; before him extended rows upon rows of citizens, all of them vigorously applauding the last speaker, all of them, without regard to private cellars, bent upon stamping out the saloon evil in their suburb.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “_Dear Sir:_ May I see you for a few moments after the meeting, on business of great importance.