Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

a conversation especially a formal one

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

high status importance owing to marked superiority

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

qualified for by right according to law

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

only a very short time before

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

an expression of greeting

From this reading "Hello.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

plural of “meeting” — a formally arranged gathering

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

a form of address for a man

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

not any; not one

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

not one thing; not anything

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Mr. Murch's office?"

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

intelligence as revealed by an ability to give correct responses without delay

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

-ing form of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

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

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

not in physical motion

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

the quality of being bland and gracious or ingratiating in manner

From this reading Mr. Murch's private secretary held a position requiring quick-wittedness and suavity in no common degree.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

(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 Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Hardly a day went by that the ring of the phone did not serve as preamble for some such colloquy as this:

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.

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

From this reading If Mr. Edward Eggleston Murch had had nothing to do but attend the meetings of the various boards of which he was a director, his time would still have been reasonably well employed and he would have enjoyed an income sufficient at least to keep him in cigars of the standard to which his eminence entitled him.