Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "What are you going to do about William?"

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

react verbally

From this reading "Well, what about him?" was Tommy's answer.

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

From this reading "What are you going to do about William?"

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

an agent who conducts an auction

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "What are you going to do about William?"

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

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

at any time

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

creating or arousing excitement

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

the act of departing

From this reading "What are you going to do about William?"

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

ten 10s

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

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

From this reading "Isn't that Scottish though?" said Flo: "question for question."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

used to form the superlative

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

-ing form of “neglect” — leave undone or leave out

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

with speed

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Isn't that Scottish though?" said Flo: "question for question."

a particular instance of selling

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

the dialect of English used in Scotland

From this reading "Isn't that Scottish though?" said Flo: "question for question."

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

with smiles; in a smiling manner

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

restricted to something

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "Isn't that Scottish though?" said Flo: "question for question."

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading "What are you going to do about William?"

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading "Well, what about him?" was Tommy's answer.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

United States telephone engineer who assisted Alexander Graham Bell in his experiments (1854-1934)

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

(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 "Well, what about him?" was Tommy's answer.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What are you going to do about William?"

at the time that

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading That was the question Flo Dearmore asked of Tommy Watson one afternoon when Tommy should have been attending strictly to his business as an auctioneer, but was neglecting it for the business of courtship, which, he declared for the one hundred and ninety-ninth time, had more charms for him than the most exciting sale he had ever conducted.

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

From this reading "What are you going to do about William?"

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "What are you going to do about William?"

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

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You know the old proverb," Tommy said, smilingly, "'don't answer too quickly, or you'll put your foot in it.'"