Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

in the past

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy

From this reading The aristocratic Paddy pulled on his trousers with a heavy sigh.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

a substance used to produce a shiny protective surface on footwear

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

the property of being smooth and shiny

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

another word for chromium when it is used in dyes or pigments

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

changing to a lower state (a less respected state)

From this reading ‘The livery,’ said he, ‘of me degradation.’

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

past form of “enlist” — join the military

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

an early name of Ireland that is now used in poetry

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

expel from a country

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The aristocratic Paddy pulled on his trousers with a heavy sigh.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading They were in the tailor’s shop together with a hurried Sergeant standing over them.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

not having enough money to pay for necessities

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

people of Ireland or of Irish extraction

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

and nothing more

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs

From this reading ‘The livery,’ said he, ‘of me degradation.’

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading ‘The livery,’ said he, ‘of me degradation.’

a titled peer of the realm

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

above and across; more than

From this reading They were in the tailor’s shop together with a hurried Sergeant standing over them.

(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Irish descent

From this reading The aristocratic Paddy pulled on his trousers with a heavy sigh.

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

fine white clay used in making tobacco pipes and pottery and in whitening leather

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading The aristocratic Paddy pulled on his trousers with a heavy sigh.

(used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

register formally as a participant or member

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading ‘The livery,’ said he, ‘of me degradation.’

Identical; not different.

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

From this reading They were in the tailor’s shop together with a hurried Sergeant standing over them.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

do one's shopping

From this reading They were in the tailor’s shop together with a hurried Sergeant standing over them.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading The aristocratic Paddy pulled on his trousers with a heavy sigh.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

having a supporting base

From this reading They were in the tailor’s shop together with a hurried Sergeant standing over them.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

not in physical motion

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading They were in the tailor’s shop together with a hurried Sergeant standing over them.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

the profession of a teacher

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They were in the tailor’s shop together with a hurried Sergeant standing over them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading They were in the tailor’s shop together with a hurried Sergeant standing over them.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading The aristocratic Paddy pulled on his trousers with a heavy sigh.

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

which person or people

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

belonging to which person

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was a poor exile of Erin in the shape of an impecunious Irish nobleman, who enlisted on the same day with Polson and whose uniform was tried on in the same hour.

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

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading If Polson had not to be taught how to ride, how to handle a sabre or a gun, or how to balance himself in the goose-step--matters which he had taken the pains to master long ago--there were still certain things to learn, and the button stick, and the flat and chain burnish, and the pots of chrome yellow, and blacking, and pipeclay, were just as strange to him as they would have been to any other raw recruit; so that he was teaching his business at one end and learning it at the other for a matter of some four or five days.